“It’s two hours out of my day where I get to have fun, relax, and play music. It takes my mind off things while still being productive and engaged. Also, not to mention, the social aspect of Gator Band keeps me motivated through these rough times of Zoom calls and asynchronous work.”
Brianna
Mellophone/French Horn
Student (Accounting)
Pembroke Pines Charter High School (FL)
University of Florida
“Throughout middle school and high school I had always loved music and was naturally drawn to becoming friends with people that were in a band class. However, it wasn’t until high school senior year that I decided to join band and pick up the trumpet. I had always thought I would not have enough time or that it was too late to join band and to be good at playing an instrument. With enough motivation from my band friends, I decided to join and I have never looked back. Playing and creating music with a group of like minded peers truly allows you to connect with others on a deeper level of brother and sisterhood that I had not experienced fully prior to band. I have been playing the trumpet for two years now and I am confident enough in my playing ability to play in college level band courses and even the Marching Knights here at UCF. As a STEM major I find having the power of music ensembles behind me while taking high level courses helps recenter me as a person. Playing music helps me keep room for activities I love doing outside of the classroom and allows me to have a large family of supporting individuals who share the love for music and band.”
James
Trumpet
Student (Information Technology)
Merritt Island High School (FL)
University of Central Florida
“Band Practice every Monday night – keeps me sane – I’ve been sitting next to the same person for 41 years. I KNOW when he will miss a note… as soon as I see the key signature…. Band is like being on a bowling league…. You are part of a team, but your performance counts, too.”
Susan
Euphonium
Certified Public Accountant
Jackson High School (MI)
Olivet College
“I enjoyed being part of a band community in high school and college and sought out a community band once I graduated. I enjoy making music with an ensemble. I don’t know that I would have found the time to play on my own once I had kids, so having weekly rehearsals/performances kept me playing. Having opportunities to perform solos in the community band allowed me to stretch outside of my comfort zone. Typically I play the bells with the ensemble, but for several winter concerts I volunteered to do a solo marimba performance. Though it took a long time to disassemble my marimba and pack it in my Impreza then reassemble for the concert, it was worth it. Being able to share this beautiful instrument with an audience is an opportunity I wouldn’t have had if I weren’t part of the band.”
Catharine
Percussion
School Librarian
Cheshire High School (CT)
Dartmouth College
Being in band isn’t just about playing your instrument (or spinning a flag, in my case). It’s about learning, and working towards becoming someone better. Through band, I not only have become a better musician/marcher, but I gained life-long friends, incredible and unique experiences, and I discovered who I was through sharing my passion with others by taking on leadership roles. Playing my instruments offered me stability, consistency, and friendship no matter which band I belonged to. I knew I always had a place, and that I always had a family. Especially making the rough transition from high school to college with no one in my family having done it before me- I was scared, but I knew if I stayed in band, I wouldn’t feel that way for long. And now, after 11 years of this activity, I can honestly look back and say I would do it all over again. It’s an incredible experience that’s worth continuing for as long as you can.
Ivana
Saxophone and Color Guard
Student (Social Work)
Plainfield East High School
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
“I played through college and graduate school and off and on while teaching at Hartwick. I played bass clarinet through college and both instruments in the symphonic wind ensemble at Dalhousie University in Halifax NS ( I did my grad studies at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design). For me it was really important for me to keep playing to keep me engaged in something other than my studies. Playing music has always been a stress reliever for me. The focus of sitting down for rehearsal several times a week got me out of my other head spaces and I was able to focus intently on one thing at a time. It has always been a bit of meditative process. There is also no small amount of joy and pride that I felt when performing. Making music made me feel good.”
Stephanie
Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
Professor of Art
Greely High School (ME)
Alfred University
“My father was a music educator and trumpet player. He also conducted the local community band, which I played in for five years after college graduation. I also played for several years in local bands and combos. However, once I started a business and a family, I put the horn away for 30 years. One day I decided to find my horn and try to play it. I oiled the valves and it was like riding a bike other than my chops were like marshmallows. I needed a reason to practice so I started taking lessons with the professor of trumpet at a local college. He told me a regional community band was holding auditions. I auditioned and was accepted into the band. That was 10 years ago. And I am still taking lessons. Every time I go to rehearsal or play a concert I think of my father and how happy he would be. I am 77. I actually LIKE to practice every day, and think how blessed I am to be able to play an instrument and watch people enjoy our music.”
Edward
Trumpet
Advertising Executive
Holyoke High School (MA)
Providence College
“Music is what I turned to as a kid when I was going through tough times. I would escape to the music wing to practice piano when I didn’t know who to sit with in middle school lunch, and I found a social group that felt safe and fun in High School marching band. It was a natural fit for me in college to continue playing in wind ensembles, and even though I thought I didn’t need it in my life anymore after I graduated, I shortly found myself right back in a community band. Frankly I don’t even do it for the social life anymore (I only have a few genuine friends in my current group), it’s more just a weekly time to check in with myself and focus on something COMPLETELY unrelated to whatever I was stressed about at work. I am also super grateful for my digital piano (with headphones!) during this election and pandemic. Beethoven has a way of just taking everything out of you.”
Alex
Euphonium (etc.)
Entertainment Production
Clarkstown South High School (NY)
Columbia University
“I am so glad I continued to play clarinet after high school! I began college as a double degree student (clarinet performance + liberal arts) in a very intense program at Northwestern University. It was challenging in the best way! I had amazing teachers and played in phenomenal ensembles. My best college memories are of playing clarinet. It opened lots of doors to me – such as playing in clubs around Chicago with the Northwestern Jazz Band! Being in this high calibre program really pushed my playing and my work ethic to the next level. Unfortunately, I realized that it was not very likely that I would be able to pursue my dream career as a professional clarinetist in a major symphony. I was double majoring in economics, which I also liked, so I planned to pursue a career in that field. (I graduated with just my economics major so that I could graduate in 4 years.) But, I never wanted to stop playing clarinet. After graduation, I tried to practice on my own, but it was hard to stay motivated, especially with my work schedule. Then, I moved from Chicago to North Carolina, started a job with more regular hours, and began looking for a music group. I was so glad that I was able to connect with the Triangle Wind Ensemble, which is an amateur but very high quality group. It is comprised of people just like me – adults of all ages who have studied music seriously but have careers in other fields. I’ve had to take a few breaks over the years as life got busy (pursuing a masters degree, having children), but was able to rejoin and am so glad to be in the group still. I’ve made a lot of friends that I would probably not know otherwise, and I really enjoy the opportunity to make great music with this ensemble. I love learning new music and having the chance to perform. I am so glad to dedicate a few hours out of each week to rehearsal. It keeps me motivated to practice, and I can clear my head of other things when I’m playing. Even though life is busy, it’s important to take time for the things you enjoy, unrelated to work, especially when you have kids. Music can absolutely be a lifelong pursuit if you look for opportunities, even if your career is in another field!”
Gail
Clarinet
Photographer/Small Business Owner
Winter Park High School (FL)
Northwestern University
Futures In Band 