Playing For Keeps

Brooklynn Langham, Writer

December 5, 2012

Music is often a stress relieving and calming activity, which can shift a person’s mood. But for senior Matt Shea music is more than just something to listen to, it’s a way of life.

Shea has been involved in district band for the past two years and said he hopes to be going on to his third year at state band.

“I really feel accomplished in it,” Shea said. “I get a sense of pride saying I could be the no. 1 bassoon player in the state. It’s just cool, it’s not an instrument everybody plays.”

According to band director John Selzer, to make first chair in all-state band means that a student in the state of Kansas is the no. 1 musician that plays their instrument of choice. Numerous musicians from all around the state of Kansas come together and play the same piece of music behind a screen, they are judged on many different components and one student is selected as the first chair member for their specific instrument.

“I like that everybody in band, especially in district and state band, wants to be there,” Shea said. “It’s really cool to see a hundred or more musicians come together for a single purpose, which is to make awesome music.”

According to Shea, band takes a lot more hard work and time than it may seem.

“At the beginning of the year you start out in marching band, and that’s at 7 a.m. everyday until the end of first hour,” Shea said. “When concert season comes around, it’s a lot of outside practicing. Plus, I take private lessons.”

Selzer said he is extremely proud of Shea and the other band members that are a part of state band.

“Matt is a wonderful bassoonist,” Selzer said. “He is very talented and loves music; and he is willing to let those things happen.”

Shea has worked hard these past four years and Selzer said he has become a ‘lead by example’ musician in the band. One that many other band students look up to and learn from.

“He’s patient, self-disciplined, he has a wonderful ear, and he loves to play,” Selzer said. “Matt and I have shared a lot of laughs together, a lot of musical moments together … just a lot of great memories that I will have once he graduates.”

Shea said that being in all state band is thought of highly by colleges and can offer great scholarships. But besides the credibility and scholarships, band is more than just a class to Shea.

“Simply put, if I wasn’t in band I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” Shea said. “Through band I’ve gained so many friends and I’ve learned a skill that is slowly getting better.”

Band is not solely about music though, for Shea it is a place to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

“It’s more about what comes out of it, the social experience, and the music, rather than the black and white notes on the page,” Shea said.

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