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My Journey with Music..........................   5

Vocal Audition Guide............................ 14

Back to the Basics............................... 16

Adjective Poem:Music Is......................   18

Narrative Poem: Music......................... 19

Two Person Poem: Audition................... 20

One line Poem..................................... 21

Character Sketch Poem: My Support....... 22

Imitation Poem: Lost............................ 23

About the Author.................................. 24

    Music has always played a major role in 

my life, but there were times when I was growing 

up that I lost my way, and music helped me 

through those times. This story is my story, the 

journey I shared with music.

      It all started when I was in elementary school and 

had very few friends. I was never good at making 

them. I lacked confidence that most of my peers had 

and I never felt like I had my own voice. I started 

attending singing lessons at the age of 5. Once a 

week after school, I traveled to the studio across the 

street from my house, where I practiced songs and 

learned how to read music. At the studio, I was a 

completely different person and in my own little world. 

I was outgoing and felt very confident in myself. 

During recitals, I was never nervous, which was the 

opposite of how I felt when I talked in front of my 

class. Even though I didn’t have many friends, I had 

music. I attained my voice and that was enough for 

me. 

     In fifth grade, I discovered something that would 

change my life forever. It was a rainy Tuesday night, 

and my mom and I were leaving the music studio 

when we heard some mothers talking. "Have you 

registered Ana for her vocal audition yet?" said the 

woman. My mom quickly chimed in and asked, "What 

audition?" The audition was for an art school, where 

students auditioned for a certain major, such as acting, 

playing an instrument, dance, video production, art, or 

singing. I excitedly told my studio teacher, Mr. Brian 

about the audition and we both agreed it was 

something I needed to do. I needed to have the 

confidence I had when I was singing in the studio 

everywhere I went, especially at school. I practiced 

every day and loved every second of it. 

    It was audition day, a warm, calm day sometime 

in the middle of April. I was the opposite of the 

weather however, nervous as could be, but this was 

my dream, and I knew I was ready! Mr. Brian had 

encouraged me the week before with kind words. He 

told me, “I am very confident in you and no matter 

what happens you will always have your voice!” I was 

waiting anxiously by the audition door until they 

called my name to come inside. I stated my name 

and age, and what I would be performing. The 

judges looked at me with curious eyes, wondering 

what sound would come out of my mouth when I 

sang. I kept repeating Mr. Brian's words in my head 

and remembered how it felt when I sang, a feeling 

that made me feel invincible.

     I announced my song nervously. It was a song 

called “Vienna, My City of Dreams.” I practiced for 

months over and over again, but I still grew nervous 

with every slow step I took towards the four elderly 

judges. All I could remember was what Mr. Brian had 

told me -“No matter what happens, you will always 

have your voice!”- I focused on his words and at that 

moment, I realized that my voice was something no 

one could ever take from me, not even these judges. 

The nerves went away and when I opened my mouth, 

the notes came out so purely and perfectly, and the 

words came out with such grace and beautiful 

expressivity. 

     I waited a little over a month to find out if I was 

accepted in to the school, but a month seemed like 

so much longer. It was a few weeks before 5th grade 

year was over, when I came home from school and 

found a huge envelope in my mailbox. “This was it,” 

I said to myself. I remembered that no matter what 

this letter read, I would go on with my life and 

would always have my voice. I tore open the letter 

right next to the open mailbox. I saw the words, 

“We are pleased to inform you that you have been 

accepted to the Bak Middle School of the Arts for 

vocal performance!” I sang and danced in 

celebration because not only did I have my voice, 

but I would be able to learn more and share it with 

others as well. 

     The first day of school was a little terrifying, especially 

because there were only a few people from my elementary 

school that went there, and I didn’t know anyone else. This 

made it even harder to make friends. I went through a regular 

school day, going to all my content area classes during the day. 

Fifth period was when I had my first chorus class. I walked in 

the classroom and everyone was sitting quietly, waiting for the 

chorus teacher to enter. When everyone had arrived, we 

started off singing warm-ups and began practicing and reading 

music. I had never felt more like myself. I was singing in 

school and making friends at the same time! Never in my life 

was I exposed to such love for music. I found a group of 

friends that I conversed with and played with every day. My 

confidence boosted through the roof and so did my academics. 

I was in such a comfortable environment, that I was so 

motivated to be successful in everything I set my mind to. I 

felt invincible. 

      A few weeks into my sixth grade year, something tragic 

happened in my family. I found out that my brother Brandon, would 

not be coming home from Iraq. He was my best friend and was 

always there when I needed him, but now, he was gone. My world 

as I knew it was changed forever. I didn't want to talk to anyone 

and I hated the thought of going back to school. When I returned, 

full of emotions and emptiness, without any clue if I would ever be 

happy again, the last thing I wanted to do was sing. Singing was 

what I did when I was happy, not when I felt so broken. It was hard 

to talk about and I wasn’t sure if my friends would understand, or 

even if they were still my friends. When I went to my chorus class 

my first day back, the love and affection I felt from not only the 

entire class, but especially my friends was very overwhelming. I 

knew that music along with my friends could help me, and one day I 

would hopefully be able to be happy and sing joyfully again. 

I began composing songs to express how I felt, some about my 

brother, and others about how it made me feel. I never let anyone 

hear them, they were just for me. Writing songs was a way I 

expressed my inner emotions.

     Before my brother went off to war, he reminded me that I could 

accomplish anything I wanted if I set my mind to it. I was inspired 

by my brother and his sacrifice to this country, and I wanted to 

make him proud. He loved music almost as much as I did, and I 

wanted to always find a way to honor him. I knew this meant I had 

to start singing once again. I began performing at the local 

Veteran’s Hospital. Through music, and in my brother’s honor, I 

devoted my time and my talent in an effort to help others 

remember how important they were and that they were not 

forgotten. My music filled the Veterans with such happiness and 

joy, and was one of the most emotional and heartfelt times I had 

ever experienced. I returned for many years and continued to 

entertain them.

     Music not only helped me through a tragic time in 

my life, but it also helped me help others and try to 

make a difference. Music helped me find my voice, 

my confidence, my friends (who I am still best 

friends to this day with), get through a tragic time in 

my life, and make a difference for others. The 

journey I shared with music taught me a lot about 

life and about myself. Who knew something as 

simple as a few notes on some staff paper could 

drastically change someone’s life forever? 

About Bak:

The Bak Middle School of the Arts is a public 

school located in West Palm Beach Florida. Bak 

MSOA Provides students who audition and are 

accepted the opportunity to work towards and 

succeed at their passion. Students have the 

unique and fulfilling experience to attend a 

middle school that provides them with not only 

rigorous academic content area classes, but also 

classes that are specific to their major. In order 

to attend Bak, each student must go through an 

audition process that will determine their 

acceptance into the school. This guide will 

provide you with tips and information about the 

Vocal audition process. 

Vocal Audition Checklist

     Select a song

     Practice song in front of an audience

     Memorize song

     Have accompaniment for selected song

     Practice pitch matching

     Attend audition

     Do your best!

From my experience…

There are a few things to do to prepare for your vocal audition. The first is to 

select a song. You are required to perform a memorized song, sing a cd with 

no background vocals or with a vocal accompaniment. The song selection 

process is always one of the trickiest parts of the audition. The judges are 

looking for a song that shows off your range, but I would stay away from pop 

songs that require off your voice at this audition, but you will also be attending 

a school where you will be singing with about 75 other students as a group. 

The next step would be to practice performing the song in front of an audience 

because there will be about 4 judges in the audition room. Practice musical 

expressivity and emotions when performing the song. The last thing to 

practice is pitch matching, which is when you hear a note played you must 

sing back that same note. 

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