"For my capstone I wrote a full symphony piece called swan song which I intend to have played by all the people I got to know through music over the years. My sophmore year I was watching a movie about a girl who played cello and I had friends in orchestra so I decided I would give it a try. I went to my first orchestra class not knowing how to read music or what string were on my instrument but because of the kindness of those around me, I found an amazing community of people through music. At first, I started because I thought it would be fun just to have something to do, but I found so much more than just a hobby. Music became a passion of mine and the people I met along the way fed that passion and allowed me to grow into the composer and musician I am now. I worked my way up from last chair to second, to second again and then first, and not only has music taught me the importance of leadership but also taught me the importance of teamwork and service. Since my sophmore year I have devoted myself to music, working three pitt jobs, two of which were outside of school; I have recorded cello for an album, written dozens of songs, auditioned and been accepted into top outside orchestras and met my closest friends because of music. dozens of concerts, hundreds of hours spent on reperotoire, and most likely thousands of lesson have all allowed me to share my music and passion with others and I am excited for what is still yet to come." -Bailey Carlson