Jonathan DiLego
Have you ever had that feeling that you just don’t fit in? Going through elementary and middle school this was always a haunting feeling that stuck with me. I would make “friends” but we never shared similar interests and often had no interest in participating in each others activities. I would often end up back where I started, lonely and upset that everyone else could make friends while I was just left with no one.
I have always thought that this was because I was an odd-ball. During recess, I had more interest in talking to my teachers or chasing butterflies than I did in playing with my classmates. While most of my peers would enjoy watching a football game or going outside and playing on a Saturday, I would rather learn how to wire up a fire alarm system with my dad or watch trains go by at the local train station.
Eventually my parents and teachers began to express concern in some of my behavior. My parents brought me to many different professionals where I took a multitude of different tests. The end result was unanimous among all of them: ADD; however, one office tried a test that none of the others did. This was the aspergers test, and the result came back positive. To my family and I, this was a shock.
Asperger's syndrome is a developmental syndrome on the autism spectrum with generally higher functioning. People with Asperger’s tend to be socially awkward and can develop all-absorbing interest in specific topics. In some cases, people with this syndrome develop tics, depression, anxiety, fidgeting, social isolation, and even learning disabilities. Fortunately for me, I leaned toward the higher functioning side of this syndrome.
For those that know me very well, I always have an all-absorbing interest in some topic or another. Whether this be cars, padlocks, electronics, or trains, my mind is always fascinated by specific topics and not satisfied until everything is learned about said topics. I find comfort in exploring these topics because it allows me to be myself. However, one area of interest has stood out over all the others.
In 2010, my parents bought me my first piano, a Roland digital upright. I remember going to the store to pick it out and being so excited to play it when I got home. The next week I began lessons, and I found that I would often spend more time practicing the piano than doing my homework. The piano became a safe space for me. I wasn’t bound by anything while playing except the walls of my imagination.
Performing for people was one of my favorite things to do. I may have been socially awkward, but I could easily convey a message through the movement of my hands along the keys. In elementary school I would always ask to play piano at the beginning of class, and my teacher, Mrs. Honaker, would graciously allow me. I remember all my friends would come up to me after and be so impressed by my playing. For once, I finally felt like I fit in
My passion for music continues beyond the piano. In middle school, I finally had the chance to join the band. I started out playing the trumpet and eventually ended up playing percussion, a second home to any pianist. If you have ever been in band or are in band, you know that it’s one big family full of positivity and encouragement. The people, culture, and the experiences allowed me to feel at home. Middle school was the three worst years of my life, but being in band made it better.
While any great musician loves to perform, there is also joy found in listening to the works of others. I often find inspiration and a sense of connection while listening to other artists. YouTube has allowed me to discover new and innovative artists that have helped to shape my musical taste and creativity. People like Jacob Collier and Jonah Nilsson, musical prodigies who defy what can be done with music, fascinate me and make me question what is possible.
One amazing thing about music is that you can never stop learning. It is just like a language, there are always new words being created and ways to use those words to create a message. This is known as music theory. While very complex, music theory is essential for any musician because it establishes the rules of what can and cannot be done. I enjoy the challenge of learning music theory and the improvement it gives my playing.
As I moved into my high school years, more and more doors opened to continue my passion for music. Band class continued to advance my performance skill and teach me about theory, In show band, I got to strengthen my accompaniment skills and lastly, in marching band I got to use my leadership skills to teach and lead a group. All of these challenges and experiences helped to strengthen me as a whole.
Sometimes music helps us to realize things about ourselves. While in marching band, I got to use my skills to teach others how to play their instruments. I found this to be a challenge. It is not easy to teach someone something you take for granted, but I learned to adapt and simplify the material so it could be taught with ease. My passion for music helped me to strengthen my leadership skills and taught me to be a better teacher.
Music offers so many more opportunities to strengthen your leadership skills. While accompanying, you have to learn how to guide while also listening back. It is a very tricky task, but once mastered yields great results. Similar to accompanying, conducting also requires strong leadership skills. Conductors are responsible for leading the band, while also being open to listen to suggestions and feedback from members.
My most prominent leadership role with music has been with band council. While on band council, not only am I required to teach music, but I also have to work with the rest of the council as a team. Displaying feedback, preparing for events, and attending meetings are all things required by band council members. At the root of every successful band or team is a strong sense of leadership and purpose.
Through these experiences, I have become stronger as a person and as a leader. Because of this, I have been offered many amazing opportunities for accompanying. Show choir band started my passion for collaborative piano. I loved that fact that I could have such a large leadership role through playing the piano. The piano, bass, and drums act as the metronome of the group and are essential for keeping time.
Show band is one of the most engaging performance groups to play with. There is glitter, make up, hair flips, and, of course, dance breaks. Along with that is a jazzy, up tempo score filled with music that gets people off of their feet. One of my favorite parts of our shows is the piano led ballad. A moment to slow down and reflect, giving the performers and the audience a chance to take a break before it all picks up again.
Show band opened the door for me to play piano at my first ever choir concert. Once our chorus teacher recognized my skill, she offered me the opportunity to accompany the choir at one of the concerts. I even had the opportunity to accompany the middle school chorus at a graded performance. I always enjoy the opportunity to play with the chorus and the experience I gain each and every time I do it.
After performing with the chorus many times, one of the moms noticed my abilities and offered me a job as a pianist at a church. To this day I still play and I couldn’t be happier about what I get to do. This opportunity has taught me how to adlib and be more creative while playing piano. I also love the opportunity I get to praise with such an amazing team. Music has blessed me with some of the most amazing people in the world.
While I may have had a difficult time in social situations, music has helped me to overcome my challenges. I have met so many people through music, and each interaction makes me stronger. I have learned how to use words in an effective way just like I do with music. You would never know that I used to be socially awkward all thanks to the power of music.
Music to me is much more than words on a page, it is a way of life. At the end of the day, I can always turn to my piano to express my emotions, expand the walls of creativity or just relax. The opportunities, friends, and adventures music has offered me are things that I just couldn’t imagine living without. For this, music is my x-factor.