I'm Possible

A Story of Survival, a Tuba, and the Small Miracle of a Big Dream

By: Richard Antoine White

Narrated by: Richard Antoine White

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Includes original music from the documentary R.A.W. Tuba, as well as the author playing.

From the streets of Baltimore to the halls of the New Mexico Philharmonic, a musician shares his remarkable story in I'm Possible, an inspiring memoir of perseverance and possibility.

Young Richard Antoine White and his mother don't have a key to a room or a house. Sometimes they have shelter, but they never have a place to call home. Still, they have each other, and Richard believes he can look after his mother, even as she struggles with alcoholism and sometimes disappears, sending Richard into loops of visiting familiar spots until he finds her again. And he always does - until one night, when he almost dies searching for her in the snow and is taken in by his adoptive grandparents.

Living with his grandparents is an adjustment with rules and routines, but when Richard joins band for something to do, he unexpectedly discovers a talent and a sense of purpose. Taking up the tuba feels like something he can do that belongs to him, and playing music is like a light going on in the dark. Soon Richard gains acceptance to the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts, and he continues thriving in his musical studies at the Peabody Conservatory and beyond, even as he navigates racial and socioeconomic disparities as one of few Black students in his programs.

With fierce determination, Richard pushes forward on his remarkable path, eventually securing a coveted spot in a symphony orchestra and becoming the first African American to earn a doctorate in music for tuba performance. A professor, mentor, and motivational speaker, Richard now shares his extraordinary story - of dreaming big, impossible dreams and making them come true.

©2021 Richard Antoine White (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

So Inspiring

What a beautiful, miraculous story of overcoming hardship and systematic oppression. Dr. White is eloquent and charming throughout his storytelling.

Must read for Music Ed Majors

Every music ed major should be required to read this book. In fact, every professor, music teacher, ensemble director, etc should read this book. As a music teacher, there have been so many times that I have had difficult students enter my classroom. I have always tried my best to keep pushing and maintain high standards for all of my students. This book just affirms that you should never give up on students or take it personally when they misbehave.

Amazing Life Story

I listened to a NPR program about this book and it just sounded like something I wanted to read. I was not disappointed. While I usually rate the audiobooks I never write reviews. This book made me laugh and cry. Richard Antoine White is someone that i would want as a friend. He has lead a remarkable but certainly not an easy life. Listening to him what he has written was a joy. He has achieved what he set out to do and his future seems limitless. Very inspiring!

A Pure Treasure of a man

Richard Antoine White’s ability to tell The story of his life is raw and authentic, beautiful, painful, and powerful. I thought I could imagine what it must be like to grow up “on the streets“, but I did not get it at all until I heard Richard’s descriptions. In completely straightforward prose, he has a gift for the details that bring everything home in such a powerful way. This is true for each phase of his life, each formative experience he includes that lead us to his adulthood. And absolutely remarkable man with a gift for storytelling as well. Not to be missed! The little bits of tuba that play at the beginning of each chapter are also wonderful morsels that give us another way to experience him through his music.

Inspirational and moving account of the possibility of greatness!!

I truly enjoyed this book. It inspires one to be the best we can be and never ever give up. We all have the power. We all have the opportunity with the right support and belief from those around us. Thank you for enlightening us with the aspirations of what we can be.

Unconditional love made the impossible, possible

Narrated memories from the perspectives of a young child with the wisdom of from experiences as an adult now.

Reality and history

It is a reality and history of America told by the person who experienced it first hand. I went through emotion of sadness, happiness, excitement and eagerness. it is so beautiful story that I enjoy iit and could not stop.. I am grateful to listen to audio.

Inspiring for Anyone

I liked the honesty about his beginning home life, the love that he shared as well.
His specificity about his constant challenges, his sharing of failures and how continually hard he had to work gave a more realistic picture of what is needed to be good. His public recognition that this is not what often happens for the people in his original community point to what needs to be done to provide « steps up » for the students of the future.

Excellent read

I was captivated, his teachers believed in him until he was able to believe in himself, he struggled, but once he trusted in his path, the rest is history.

Inspiring and so down to earth

I loved listening to his story and his upbringing. His determination and willingness to do something he is passionate about. I loved the family he was adopted into and as an adopted mom myself it gives me hope that my son will one day be as passionate as Dr White.