Physics, Philosophy, and Philharmonia Daniel T. Wang

Albert Einstein remarked, "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music...I cannot tell you if I would have done any creative work of importance, but I do know that I get most joy in life out of my violin". Today, Albert Einstein is a hero to me. We share a birthday and even an interest in philosophical physics. Most meaningfully though, we share a love of music. Through all my intellectual pursuits, my artistic priorities have stood unwavering. Be short though it may, my career as a flutist has been the most rewarding endeavor of my life. In this time, my engagement with the All-National Symphony Orchestra was an experience that has changed not only the stylistic nature of my appreciation for music but also how I see my role in the world.

Rewind one year. I fumble to collect my belongings as the plane slows to a halt, and it's not long before I'm headed down the terminal. After a long flight, the liveliness of the airport is refreshing. A nice lady at a kiosk directs me toward a bus, and as I pass through a set of sliding doors, the hot, Tennessee air hits my face. En route to the hotel, a chaperone rambles excitedly about all the things to do in the area, but I can think of only one:...