SENIOR SALUTE: BAND EDITION

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ABBEY LEA, EMILY JEPSEN and KYLIE PFARR.

Abbey Lea: Xylophone, Marimba, Glockenspiel, auxiliary

Emily Jepsen: Percussion

Kylie Pfarr: Trumpet, Flute, Tuba

Q. When did you start first start playing your instrument(s) and why did you pick the instrument(s)?

A. Abbey: I enjoy playing the piano, xylophone, marimba, glockenspiel, auxiliary and I also do voice. I’ve played the piano for many years, but I play the rest of the instruments to challenge myself and my ability to learn.

Emily: I began playing percussion instruments in my freshman year, cymbals in my sophomore year and in my senior year I am playing the bass drum. I picked percussion because of the variety of different instruments.

Kylie: I have played the flute from fifth-ninth grade because I liked the sound of the instrument. In the 10th grade I began playing the trumpet because it seemed like fun. Now in my senior year I am playing the tuba because I wanted to learn something new.

Q. Looking back over the last four years in marching band, what is your best memory of being in band/marching band and why?

A. Abbey: I really enjoyed last year’s Halloween game at Canfield. We were freezing and wet, but we were having too much fun to care. It was raining by halftime, so the pit couldn’t play. We watched everyone play in their costumes from beneath rain gear and ponchos.

Emily: I really enjoy the football games because it gives everyone a chance to demonstrate their amazing talents.

Kylie: My favorite memory was in my sophomore year and marching in the Main Street Parade at the Magic Kingdom on New Year’s Eve 2013.

Q. Why is music important to you?

A. Abbey: Music can speak to people in a way that even their natural language can even try. It can excite and soothe. I enjoyed my part in last year’s “Avengers Medley,” but in my favorite pieces from this year, I perform a solo in both “James Bond” and “Jurassic Park” on the Glockenspiel.

Emily: Music is very important to me, not only as a hobby, but also as a current career. I really liked “Carry On My Wayward Son,” which we played my freshman year because it was a great song.

Kylie: Music is important to me because I enjoy learning new things. “All of the Lights” was my favorite piece to perform because it was fun.

Q. If you were speaking to a group of fifth-grade students who were thinking of joining the band, what would you tell them is the number 1 reason for joining the band?

A. Abbey: Mr. Olesko (Band Director) was my choir director in my sophomore year, and he learned that I could play the piano, so he invited me to marching band. It was then that I learned to play the xylophone.

Emily: I would tell the fifth-graders and anyone interested in joining the marching band that the number 1 reason to join the band is because it’s an incredible experience, and it is such an awesome opportunity to make new friends.

Kylie: You meet so many people and make some wonderful friends.

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

A. Abbey: I hope to pursue a major in graphic design at Kent State University, but I am also very inspired by the teamwork and fellowship in a band.

Emily: I have not decided yet, but I think I would like to attend Slippery Rock and major in either education or psychology.

Kylie: I would like to attend Ohio State University and major in pharmacy.