Last night, I decided to woo (or rather, wake up) my neighbours with my rendition of Gluck’s Minuet and Dance of the Blessed Spirits.

Each time I play it, I think of the story that accompanies it.

The wife of Orpheus, Eurydice, was bitten by a snake and died. Upon her death, Orpheus was so distraught that he mourned his loss with music that softened the hearts of the Underworld Gods.

They allowed Eurydice to return to the world of the living under one condition: Eurydice was to walk behind Orpheus and he was not to look back until they had returned.

But, Orpheus, too anxious to see Eurydice, turned to gaze upon her before they returned and she was once again whisked away to the Underworld.

That’s what I think of. I think of the love that Orpheus felt for his wife, and the pain he must have felt to have her taken from him twice.

The first time I played that song in front of judges, I was so nervous. It was one of my hardest pieces to date and I had a problem with my timing.

When I finished playing, the room fell silent and I thought for sure I had completely botched it.

Finally, one of the judges spoke to ask me who my teacher was and how long I’d been playing. I looked down at the floor and told him I taught myself and I’d only been playing for two years.

Suddenly, everyone’s eyes in the room opened wide and I swear, the floor was going to open up and swallow me (or at least, that’s what I was praying for).

I explained that I had my father purchase a flute for me (the crappy flute I used for that solo), a fingering chart, and some instructions. Then, I practiced.

I had the help of a few band teachers who taught me how to use my diaphragm and set my embrasure, but as for formal teaching - none, because we simply couldn’t afford it.

Before I could continue with my little plea to have mercy on me, he proclaimed that in all his years judging Solo & Ensemble, he hadn’t seen anyone so young play that piece with such passion and love before. It went behind just the technicalities and was brought to life.

He gave me a few pointers to help me improve my timing (it has gotten a lot better over the years), told me my band teacher was blessed to have me and sent me on my way with a superior rating.

The moral of the story? Feel the music with every fibre of your being. When you play with passion, it will carry over into the notes that people hear.

Even if your timing is a little off, or your pitch is slightly flat, it really won’t matter if your audience is left feeling what you’re feeling. It gives your music personality.