SENIOR SALUTE — BAND EDITION

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DAVID LANKITUS (left) and MICHAEL BALESTRINO.

Name: David Lankitus; Michael Balestrino

Instrument: Percussion; Trombone

Q. When did you start playing your instrument?

A. Lankitus: I started playing the drums in the summer before I entered fifth grade. I began playing the drums because of my family advising me to, mostly from my grandfather.

Balestrino: I played the baritone in the ninth grade. I switched to the trombone in the 10th grade because I had a hard time playing the baritone.

Q. Best memory of being in band/marching band?

A. Lankitus: I have to say that my favorite band memory is from being in the marching band, and more notably being a part of the drum line. I love the percussion, the calculated marching, the pep music and cadences.

Balestrino: My best memory of being in the marching band was performing at Walt Disney World on New Year’s Eve 2013.

Q. Why is music important to you?

A. Lankitus: Music in itself is an interesting concept with its organized sounds that we can love and it can even be medicinal and treatment for anxiety or depression. I now have the gift to create this phenomenon on my own, and I pretty much love any song from Twenty-One Pilots because of the lyrical words and their catchy beats.

Balestrino: Music is important to me because it allows me to express myself and to be who I am. Some of my favorite musical numbers were “All of the Lights” by Kanye West and the “2013 Pop Medley” because we got to dance to it.

Q. If you were speaking to a group of students about joining the band, what would be your number 1 reason for joining the band?

A. Lankitus: I believe, at least for percussion, that we are trained in keeping time, and so that it is the best benefit and a sole reason for joining percussion. As for the rest of the band, music is one of the greatest things on the plant and so everyone should learn it.

Balestrino: If I were speaking to a group of students about joining the band, my number one reason for joining would be because it is the best think I could ever have done. You get to meet a lot of new people and make some great friends.

Q. What college do you hope to attend/intended major?

A. Lankitus: I’m looking at the possibility of attending Ohio State University and major in Biomedical Science.

Balestrino: I am thinking about attending MCCTC for Culinary and Restaurant Management.