band logic

When I was in middle school I played flute in the band. I was actually pretty good, probably could have had a "higher seat" if I had the nerve to challenge any of my friends. I can still see my music folder with the blue design across the front, which I carried home every day in my bag, along with my flute, on the pretense that I might practice.
On the inner flap of the folder was a list of helpful band/music vocabulary words, including "piano" and "forte". I remember clearly the definitions of these two, in particular. For piano, they recommended that one play so softly that one could only hear the players to their left and right. For forte, it was the opposite- play so loudly that one could no longer hear the players at their sides.
In my life I have lived piano, and I have lived forte. I didn't take to either one, really, and prefer to stay in the middle of the two- taking care of my own needs and still seeing and hearing the needs of those around me. I'm not sure what the musical term for this middle volume is, but that's the way I want to play.