Ariel Palermo

Mrs. Jankowski
English 12
August 16, 2016
Common App

Whether it comes from nature or nurture, Ive accepted that Im a performer. Ive binded
with the cello. Many things that happened when I was very young dictates the decisions I make
today. I remember falling asleep every night to my dad playing Bach Cello Suite on bass. This is
definitely not why I joined orchestra class in 6th grade however. I absolutely, unambiguously
dreaded art class. So, I had this idea that Id slide by with joining orchestra until art was over.
Boy was I wrong!
I walked in the room and said I want to join orchestra. The teacher asked what
instrument I would like to play. Frankly I had no clue. Seeming how bass is the thingy my dad
plays, and was the only other instrument I knew existed in the string family, Bass, I said.
Hmm, well were out of basses, and youre much too small for it anyhow, she said.. But we
have plenty of cellos! What in Gilligans Island is that? I thought. She pointed and directed my
attention to a corner in the room. I turned and saw a row a basses, that were the perfect size
for me! Ok I said.
My first day in orchestra I was told to watch and learn from the other cellos. She
explained that I was to sit down and turn this strange, tiny knob and pull the end pin out which
allowed me to hold the instrument between my legs. This was the strangest thing Id ever done.
Because I began class a little late, I struggled to keep up. We had this thing called sheet
music to help us play.. I am never going to learn to read this! I told myself. I made it through
an entire year of class with no clue how to read sheet music. I went on to orchestra II the next

year because I wouldve rather pretended I was playing the music than to be in art class. That
changed when I got a new instructor that next year.
I made it about halfway through the year before my instructor forced me to learn to read
music. My head spun as she explained that music is all math. I hate math. How many beats are
in one note, the difference between time signatures But I clawed my way through the year
and learned the basics.
Eighth grade was really the turning point. I was slightly excited because even though I
was the only cello player in my class I could kind of read the music. About a month into school I
was practicing at home for the first time ever and my dad walked in the room. What in Gods
name are you doing? He asked. I looked at him curiously. He began to explain the rhythm and
notes to me and played it on my cello.I listened. I couldnt believe that what he was playing
came from the sheet of paper in front of me! I wanted to play it! I sat down and tried to get it
right. Eventually that one measure that I had forged resurrected!I guided the bow across the
strings and felt them vibrate between my fingers. I listened to the notes as they changed color
with the stickiness of the bow. My heart rate elevated with the vibration of the music against my
chest. I liked this.
That is how I began my journey with the cello. I continue today with a fast pace forward.
Being in the Philharmonic and getting Gold at state solo and ensemble, Id say with the rocky
start I had, I give myself an A for effort!