The Spirit of Cerritos: Meet Cerritos High School's Tulsi Patel

Editor's Note: Patch will be posting musician profiles and features in anticipation of the  . 

If I was told when I first started playing the flute that I would someday be performing around the world by the time I was in high school, I would have never believed it. The eight years of long practices and hard work have really begun to pay off and I am now able to experience the unbelievable. I thought that the greatest thing that could have happened to a high school band had already happened last year when our Wind Symphony was invited the play in New York at Carnegie Hall. Who knew that there would be something to top that?

When we were told that we would be playing at the 2012 London Olympics, I was speechless and ecstatic.

I truly began taking band seriously when I entered high school. I took the years before seriously before as well, but I did not understand the magnitude of what being a true musician was and I also did not put as much time and effort in to it. The summer going into my freshman year, I had experienced something new, marching band. It was a giant leap from middle school and the level of what was expected became much bigger. I figured it would get a little easier as the years went on, but I was way off. The bar was set higher each year, not just in marching band but in wind symphony too. As a junior, not only is the bar set higher, my expectations for myself have become higher. I want to become a better musician and a better leader to the incoming students to our program.

It's All About Practice, And It's Worth It

I believe the step to becoming better at anything is practice. I never thought I would have spent as much time on band as I have in high school. Three hours after school, 3-4 for days a school week, weekends, and even vacation time was put into making this group into what it has become. Some people told me to quit and asked me why I put so much time into doing this, especially my parents who believe that it was and still is interfering with my school work.  I admit that I might have done differently in school if I did not have band but I do not regret it. Band has given me unforgettable experiences and the opportunity to meet amazing people, some that have become some of my closest friends.

Playing at the 2011 New York Music Festival

The most memorable experience of my life, only being 16, was when our Wind Symphony performed in the 2011 New York Music Festival. It not was performing in Carnegie Hall that was my highlight, which was incredible, but it was watching the other outstanding groups around the world perform, especially the students from the Kasukabe Kyohei High School Wind Orchestra from Japan. It was a performance that will not be forgotten in a lifetime and actually being able to speak with the other musicians from other countries after made the experience even greater.

I did not expect something more magnificent than New York could come along but it has and only a year later furthermore. I am putting in more time and effort in preparing for our next big adventure but that was a given and that is what I signed up for.

I am ready for the 2012 London Olympics to be an unforgettable, life changing experience that I can share with my fellow band members.  

I am Tulsi Patel and I am the Spirit of Cerritos.            

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Donor and Sponsorship Opportunities to Support the CHS Wind Symphony Still Available

Community members and local businesses are encouraged to donate funds toward this historic trip. Donor and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Fundraising Coordinator Leslie J. Machado at (562) 577-1802 or via email at lesliejmachado@gmail.com.

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