PASSION FOR PLAYING: Freshman Jordan Rhym performs at Hendershots for the Love Notes for Lucas Fundraising event, where she has participated in the annual event twice. Photo courtesy of Kecia Thomas.
By JORDAN RHYM – Print Writer
Since middle school, Jordan Rhym has exercised her love for music by learning to play as many instruments as she can.
Dictionary.com defines passion as “A strong or extravagant fondness, enthusiasm, or desire for anything,”. One’s passion can be anything. For me, that something is collecting and learning instruments.
A few years ago I set a goal for myself, a goal to learn 10 instruments before I graduated from college. I set* this goal when I had just began playing cello in the sixth grade orchestra at Clarke Middle School in 2011. This was the second instrument I learned to play after the drums.
At this point, I had already started to become a musician. I had gone to a summer camp called Girls Rock Camp for two-consecutive years. This camp centers around young girls coming together and learning a new instrument for a week while also being put in a band. At the end of the week there is a finale.
After Girls Rock Camp, I experienced my first Camp Amped session. Camp Amped is a more intense version of Girls Rock Camp. It is a local Athens camp for kids that already know how to play an instrument. In this camp, participants* are put into two bands for two weeks and play a finale show at the end.
I loved every minute of these camps and idolized* every camp counselor I had because they were all wonderful musicians. I strived to become a better musician like my counselors by adding new instruments into my life.
In fifth grade, I began collecting instruments — I started with the drums.
In sixth grade, I started learning the bass and the cello.
In seventh grade, I added the guitar and ukulele.
All of these instruments were put in my music room, where I slowly began learning each instrument. This room with green cement walls no window is in the basement of my mom’s house.
I keep a guitar under my bed and a ukulele on my desk. My drum kit stays in the basement with my bass and cello leaning on the wall and my electric guitar in a case lying on the floor. I love being surrounded by my instruments, so that each one is accessible to me. Playing is something i’ve enjoyed doing for years, and my love for it has not died down. Even though i just began high school and I am flooded with homework, I still find time to play at least one of my instruments a day.
Playing instruments is what makes me happy. Whether I grow up to be a musician, a music teacher, or a music therapist, I want music to be a part of my life. I am fond of playing instruments, I am enthusiastic about playing instruments, and learning 10* instruments is a goal I desire to achieve. I could never dream of living without playing these instruments.
