Think back to what you were doing at age 14. Probably playing in your junior high school sporting events, going to friends’ houses, and becoming attracted to your peers of the opposite sex. As a kid, we didn’t think about much of the world around us and didn’t yet know of all of the opportunities that we could find. Thus, videogames are the enjoyment of an adolescent.

I had the privilege of listening to one of these 14 year olds this weekend at the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. Michael Province is a violinist from Palm City, Florida who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, won the esteemed Irene Muir Award and will soon be debuting with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. I just imagined my little brother walking onto a stage of professional musicians, bowing in front of a packed orchestra hall, and proceeding to lead the symphony with poise and enthusiasm. The young man said he dreads practicing four to five hours every day, but thrives in the spotlight as a performer. As I watched him play the introduction and “Rondo Capriccioso” by Camille Saint-Saens and Pablo de Sarasate’s “Gypsy Airs”, his vibrant spirit soared throughout the audience. His smile and witty attitude amused the listeners and invited them to join into the mysterious musical experience happening on the stage. Yet, this virtuosic and talented boy simply enjoys his videogames and just hanging out with his friends.

It is important to recognize that we are regular people who indeed desire to relax with our friends. Perhaps going to the Symphony helped me to realize something even more profound; if we continue to remain average or just mediocre, the true beauty of life and of our existence can never be revealed. As I absorbed the lush melodies, vibrant tones, and dancing rhythms of Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and “Symphony No. 7 in A Major”, nothing came to mind more clearly than the great beauty and mystery of our lives. It takes a lifetime of hard work and dedication to something like music. If we just stay behind the TV screen playing videogames, life would be quite monotonous and meaningless. The real adventure comes when we thrust ourselves into what we are truly passionate about in order to learn all that we can. If we truly desire to grow more deeply in love with the truth, we may find that truth and much much more. Within the discipline of music we find patience, diligence, appreciation for the good and trust in ourselves. Life is infinitely more than a videogame that we can simply flip on and off to please us for a moment or hours on end. Rather, life seems to become beautiful music when we make something of it and take advantage of the limitless opportunities beyond the television screen.