The benefits of being a student musician
Many student musicians choose to participate in school band. Most students start playing instruments at a young age. I interviewed two talented musicians to gain insight into why they chose to play an instrument and their journey with music. They both are successful in life and being a musician may have played a role.
Jay Colgan started to play the drums in the 6th grade. He was introduced to classical music by his mom. He liked hearing the large base drums sounds. In middle school he joined a band of three people where he played three songs, Wild Thing, Louie Louie, and Wipe Out. In high school, he played the snare drum in the marching band. He also played in symphony orchestra, jazz band, wind ensemble, and jazz combo. He traveled the nation with the professional band, The Marauders Drum and Bugle Core. In college he played in wind ensemble, jazz band, jazz combo, and Sunshine Drummers. After college he was in two Christian music bands called Bird House and Frazier. Jay states, “My favorite part of his music journey was teaching the drumline at Kamiakin High School for 8 years. I loved to instruct kids”.
Another talented musician is Rafael Guajardo, and he explained his experience of mastering the trumpet. He was highly encouraged by his father who taught him from third to fifth grade. In middle school, he joined band and continued throughout high school and college in the marching band. In addition to marching band, he played classical and jazz band. He also competed in solo competitions. He stated, “Playing the trumpet was a great experience and above everything, symphony orchestra (classical) was my favorite.”
Being a student musician can help students academically. According to an article by popeband.com/benefits-of-beimg-in-band.html, “Musicians score higher in SAT scores in reading by 57 points, 48 points higher in math, and 58 points higher in reading. Music is one of the seven intelligences identified in the brain and the only one that utilizes all seven intelligences simultaneously.” Both Rafael Guajardo and Jay Colgan were successful academically. Jay Colgan graduated from Whitworth College with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Rafael Guajardo obtained a degree in Secondary education/Spanish and a minor in music/performing arts.
