Oftentimes when someone participates in an extra curricular in high school, it becomes an afterthought when they graduate. Sure they might pick up their instrument every once in a while or end up coaching their kid’s sports team but the days of constant practices, games and concerts tend to end as people age into adulthood. However, seniors Max Gelles, Lucian Hentschel and Tayen Petoskey, are turning their passions and interests with music into a lifelong career. Each has been playing their instruments since sixth grade and have worked their way through the band program. All three of them will be attending Central Michigan University next year with Gelles and Petoskey going into music education and Hentschel pursuing horn performance.
“I think music is special, and there are a lot of students who enjoy playing their instruments, and they might continue playing in the future, but they take lessons away from what we do in terms of teamwork, work ethic and things like that. But when students choose to make it a career that’s really unique. And I’m always encouraged to see those students who see the same thing in music that I saw, which was something that can be a fulfilling lifelong activity to do,” band director Chad Mielens said.
The band program at West has fostered an environment of dedication and perseverance for these young musicians. In addition to the hard work put in by these seniors, they have made strong connections throughout their years playing music.
“The community of people that I get to play with is my favorite part [of being in band]. I mean, I’ve made a lot of friends, and I feel like I really am part of a group of people that I really enjoy being around when I’m in band,” Petoskey said.
Looking back, it’s easy for people to see the relationships they’ve built through activities like band. However for some, if it was up to them in the beginning, they wouldn’t have stuck with it and likely wouldn’t have the same friends they have today.
“I mean, in the sixth grade, it was my mother that kept me, [in band] because I didn’t really want to do it. But I think it’s just kind of a thing where after you stick with it for so long, it just kind of becomes a part of who you are and it’s something that you wake up every morning thinking about doing,” Petoskey said.
Despite the strong community and atmosphere of excellency, Hentschel, Petoskey and Gelles have faced struggles just like anyone else might when learning to get better at something.
“The largest problem I faced while making music has been the times when I didn’t believe in myself. There were times I would be practicing a hard section of a piece and I didn’t believe I could do it, but with hard work I got through the struggles,” Hentschel said.
It is this mentality that sets musicians like these three apart from the pack. Attributes like being able to bounce back from a mistake and have confidence in your abilities can be vital in the music world. This is especially true if you plan on teaching your skills to others or going into music as a professional player.
“Band has taught me to be a better musician, but it has also taught me many other skills. It has shaped me into someone who shows up and is always productive. Band has taught me to be the person everyone relies on, not the person who relies on everyone around them,” Gelles said.
These qualities that Gelles, Petoskey and Hentschel share have been helpful as they’ve stepped into leadership positions in the band program and can be seen by their peers and directors.
“I’ve known them since they were in sixth grade, but I’ve been teaching them since they were freshmen in high school. […] Obviously, they’ve grown quite a bit in terms of their technical abilities, their expressive qualities as musicians. They’ve all taken on leadership roles, and so you’ve seen them going above and beyond what’s being asked, not just for their own preparation, but helping their peers prepare better for performances, things like that,” Mielens said.
After all these three have been through and experienced by being in West’s band program, they can’t wait to share their passion for music with others.
“I’m most excited about being able to help students the way Mr. Mielens guides his bands. Music is an art; it is a form of self expression, especially in ways that transcend cultures or languages. Being a music teacher means you give a child their voice, whether they want to compose music, teach just like you, or simply play for fun in their free time. I know that for me, music was my way to advocate for myself and meet new people when I was shy and unable to work up the courage. But no matter what music might mean to you, it exists in your daily life and provides for you in countless ways. I’m very happy to be contributing to that,” Gelles said.
