Following the completion of the concert band and orchestra season, many Bearden seniors will continue their passion for music at the collegiate level. After years of dedication to their respective instruments, several musicians have earned the opportunity to progress their music literacy at a plethora of universities.
For most, the adoption of an instrument was a natural transition. Seniors Kalen Wilson, who will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall, and Davis Withrow, who will be attending UT, both reminisce on their musical beginnings.
“The West Valley orchestra teacher came into our elementary school to let us to play the instruments,” Withrow said. “I picked up the violin, played one note, and immediately knew that is what I wanted to do.”
Added Wilson: “I started playing music in middle school and knew that I had a passion for it.”
However, for senior Logan Franklin, who will attend Berklee College of Music, the intent behind the hobby’s origins deviate from his fellow musicians.
“My dad pressured me to play an instrument when I was in elementary school,” Franklin said. “Out of spite, I chose the biggest instrument I could find [the double bass].”
But Franklin has found both a passion and talent in doing so. Berklee is one of the most prestigious music schools in the world.
Each musician has appreciated the circumstantial lessons learned from their musical past.
Senior Jon Schaffer, who will be attending UT in the fall, has found his own discipline to the trumpet pay off.
“With enough practice, anything can be achieved,” he said. “Hard work pays off if you put it in the right place.”
Added Franklin: “I have learned to enjoy the process of putting in a consistent effort into one thing and watching it develop.”
Franklin attributes the longevity of his passion to the intricacy of playing an instrument.
“Music is one of those things that you will never get perfect,” he said.
Even with the musicians’ dedication, they still anticipate road bumps during the transition to a collegiate musical environment. However, for Wilson, this challenge has been curbed by his teachers’ thorough efforts.
“With the progression from high school to professional level expectations, there is a higher standard of excellence that is expected from us,” he said. “But Bearden orchestra has prepared us for that challenge.”
For many of the musicians, a career in the music realm is a plausible reality. Even so, the majority of their excitement comes from the opportunities to soon arise in college.
“I look forward to the new connections that I can make in college,” Franklin said.
Added Wilson: “The orchestra instructors have encouraged me to explore my options in the music realm, but for now, I am really excited for what is to come at Dartmouth.”