Journalism I student Audrey Enghauser practices her flute at home on Feb 5. Enghauser enjoys the creative aspects and learning opportunities the instrument has given her in the last four years and plans to join the Athens Youth Symphony in fall 2019. Photo by Luna Reichert
Clarke Central High School Journalism I student Audrey Enghauser shares her story about how her passion for playing the flute has developed over the last four years.
I started playing the flute when I was 10. It’s become more than a passion — it’s my escape from the world and a facet for unlimited creativity.
Because my dad is a musician, I grew up surrounded by music. When I was four, my parents put me in piano lessons for a few years, and after that, I sang in the Georgia Children’s Chorus. Even though I valued these musical endeavors, it wasn’t until I picked up the flute in fifth grade that I felt truly connected to my instrument.
I fell in love with it for its delicateness and exquisitely light and airy sound.
As I learned to play, I found myself enjoying the instrument in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I discovered trills, grace notes and pitches octaves higher than I could sing. I learned to pick out melodies and figure out the notes to my favorite songs. I had found a new way to express myself, and I was loving every moment of it.
Soon, however, I let school get in the way of my flute playing. It slipped down my list of priorities, after homework and friends.
Every week I didn’t practice, I was disappointed in myself and where my priorities had gone. I knew the flute was an important part of my identity, so I decided to make a greater effort to dedicate myself to the instrument.
I resolved to practice every other night so I could get on track to join the Athens Youth Symphony in the fall of 2019. Now, every time I pick up my flute, I am reminded of how much I love it.
The last four years have taught me more than just new music and techniques — I’ve learned about myself.
Playing the flute has shaped my personality, the way I listen to music critically and my sense of pitch and rhythm. It gives me new challenges to work at that improve my musical ability, but also provides a place for creativity.
Most importantly, it has shown me that working hard leads to great improvement. This has kept me going and has made me the flutist I am today.
