Assignment Seven: Artists Statement

By: Junha Park

Involved in playing of the trumpet, violin, and piano, I am a grade 12 student

striving to become a better musician better artist. Music has entered into my life
at a very young age in South Korea where I was introduced to both violin and
piano. As a young boy, there are little to say about why or how I chose to pursue
music. However, I can proudly say I was not forced to pursue music by my parents
rather it was my will that chose to pursue music even when I was young. Currently,
I am still continuing to practice and develop my piano and violin skills through
personal practice and orchestra. Trumpet was introduced to me as I entered junior
high through the band program and I have also continued to practice and develop
that area as well. I intend on continuing to develop my skills in all of my
instruments, despite all the hardships and time-conflicts that may appear in my
journey. Music has ultimately become a large part of me and it is something I wish
to not let go.
The idea of being artist and classifying myself as an artist is intangible,
ungraspable as I have always defined being an artist as something professional.
With professionality, earning money becomes part of it. I am not proficient and
skillful enough with my violin, piano, or trumpet to perform in front of people who
have paid money to enter into a venue (although orchestra is a different case).
Recently, I have come to terms with my own definition of artist where it is not
about being professional, rather an individual who devotes their time into some
sort of art discipline. With this definition, I am an artist as I devote a huge chunk
of my personal time in music. As an artist, I set certain goals for myself to achieve
or to strive to achieve. I believe these aspects define myself to be an artist.
Music will never become a top priority in my life even though it is a big part
of me. As I see my career unraveling as an engineer, music will be an outlet in
which I can momentarily instill peace and rest from the hectic life that is about to
come. I intend on pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at University of
Calgary. After successfully completing this undergraduate program, I intend on
continuing my study in graduate schools, specializing in environmental design/
engineering (although not guaranteed. I am intrigued by the idea of preserving our
planet earth, the idea of protecting earth for the next generation. With this career
goal in mind, music will always be there to support me to overcome, to destress and to establish different unique relationships with other people. I intend
on throwing myself into different university orchestras, bands (classical or jazz),
and possibly small ensembles (brass choir). In the long run, I always want to be
involved in many different musical groups. In these groups, I can push myself to
improve with goals such as moving from second violin section to first violin section,
or playing first trumpet instead of second trumpet. In my mind, I view my
development in music as an extended marathon, very steady but always moving
forward. Furthermore, I categorize music to be casual and relaxing.

Without the influence of many different people, I would have definitely been
different as a person and as an artist. Through people who have devoted their time
into music, I experienced the impact of having a supportive and welcoming
community. It has allowed me to be more confident and in return, welcome those
around me. My violin teacher as well as my piano teacher (Keiko and Minako
respectively) have both been teaching me ever since I was in Grade 4. Throughout
the 8 years of taking private lessons, they have both embraced me and pushed me
towards finding myself in music. There was always a goal to which they pushed me
to achieve. More specifically speaking, my violin teacher had a great impact with
my work ethic and preparation. These two qualities are almost fundamental in
society and I have definitely seen the effect of my violin teachers rigorous demand
for more attention and practice. My piano teacher has always been a mother
figure to me, extending her arms beyond her normal responsibility as a piano
teacher. She has guided me and provided extensive attention to my well-being.
Through this care, I was able to mature and to appreciate the power of caring
through my piano teacher. Without these two people, I would not be where I am
today and I would not be who I am today.
There was one particular moment that completely shattered me, although in
the end, I was able to conquer the difficulty. It was the moment when I got braces
after 5 years of trumpet playing. The trumpet uses buzzing of the lips to make
sound through the horn. However, braces become additional layer between your
mouth and the mouthpiece, requiring the player to change all that they had
learned. The moment of getting braces and playing the trumpet devastated me for
I was unable to play the trumpet, at all. With braces, my 5 years of practicing and
attempting to perfect my trumpet skills deteriorated. It was a moment where I
definitely lost courage and will to continue playing the trumpet. Additionally, I had
just joined jazz and it was a very different environment for me to adjust to. These
two factors left me feeling hopeless and undetermined. However, through the help
of the band teacher, Mr. Hagan and Mr. Harding, I was sooner or later able to
overcome this hardship. It took tedious and patient practicing in order to reobtain
tone of the trumpet. Furthermore, musical education especially in the band class
has allowed me to appreciate teamwork and community. As an artist, it has allowed
me to listen to different opinions as well as appreciate different forms of art which
I previously have not been exposed to. In the end, education in the arts has made
me realize that all artists are passionate with regards to their discipline and it is
this passion and binds us all together.
Pablo Picasso has once said, Every child is an artist. The problem is how to
remain an artist once he grows up. As children, we imagine, create and innovate
with our minds to further enhance our experiences. Whether it is through
imagining you are a Power Ranger, or imagining you are an astronaut, these
imaginations and creativity provides personal gratification. By continuing arts, I
can confidently argue arts, especially music, has promoted higher quality of life.
Ultimately, it comes down to this fundamental idea of expression in music,
personally. The expressions within me are expressed through creativity and

imaginations with regards to the notes on the page. Furthermore, the expressions
are transferred into my personal life where arts are not involved. Arts has allowed
me to appreciate the diversity within my local community as well as the global
community. I have become aware of my surroundings and in this manner, it is very
crucial that arts remain within society. Arts has been scientifically proven to
enhance brain function, make children become smarter for the future. However,
I would like to conclude with the very importance of being involved within a
community. Whether it be the fundamental theory of the cells or Christianity, they
have all one thing in common. The common denominator is that human beings are
required to co-exist with other human beings. Isolation is harmful to the brain and
the soul. Fine Arts promote community involvement, bonds to form, and affections.