Hometown: Lake Ariel, PA

Major: Music Education

Year: 2016

Q: I heard that you earned state honors and were chosen to perform with about 100 of the state’s top college musicians. When did you find out about this and what was your reaction?

A: A few weeks after submitting my application for Intercollegiate Band, I was informed that I had been chosen to be part of this great honor. My band director, Dr. F. David Romines, told me and he gave me a large pat on the back and congratulated me. My trumpet teacher, Mr. David Jumper, told me that I was one of very few freshman trumpets to ever make it, and his first [student to achieve the honor]. I was thrilled to find out all of this and I am so proud to be among the top musicians in the state.

Q: How many students were chosen from Marywood to participate in this performance?

A: Six students were chosen.

Q: What instrument do you play?

A: I have been playing my trumpet for nine years.

Q: What will you do to prepare for the concert?

A: Well, I have to prepare all details of the music on my own first. When we get there, we are auditioned for seats. We rehearse as an ensemble for a few days before giving a performance.

Q: Is only a few days enough time to prepare a full program?

A: Three days is a great amount of time to produce a performance, if the students take the time to practice on their own before hand.

Q: What does a full program consist of, and what has to be done to prepare for one?

A: A full program means that the program consists of the whole band. A full program usually ranges in difficulty and feeling. This concert ranges greatly in repertoire. Within the program, we have one of the simplest – not always the easiest – forms of music known as a march. At the other end of the spectrum, we have a symphony. Although a symphony is usually written for an orchestra, this symphony was specifically written for a wind ensemble/band. In between, we have fun pieces and pieces of pure beauty. What a full program requires is a larger repertoire, not simply 10 minutes of music. A full program, to be prepared, has a lot to do with each individual person. Each player must know his/her part and know it well.

Q: When and where is the performance?

A: The performance is March 17 at Mansfield University.