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Wind Symphony passes down techniques to young musicians

Giddy middle schoolers from Dexter McCarty and Clear Creek hopped on their school buses to head over here on Jan. 9 for a full high school band experience.

Students in Wind Symphony were given two pieces of music in preparation for this eighth-grade band workshop session. They were told to start practicing “Highland Legend” by John Moss for the Dexter McCarty session and “Gypsy Dance” by Joseph Compello for Clear Creek a week prior to the workshop.

For the first time, these eighth graders came from their designated areas to learn together in a whole new way. Peter Nisen-Goodin, the Clear Creek band teacher, oversaw the workshop as a great way for the students to establish connections.

“This is something that allows the kids to get the experience of high school from high schoolers themselves. Honestly, the more connections these kids have, the better,” Nilsen-Goodin said.

While the nearly freshmen earned a solid understanding of the basics to communicating in a high school setting, Wind Symphony players gained a sudden new-found insight.

Students here know what it means to develop one’s skill at a young age. Senior Logan Colson has played the clarinet for six years. His extended training allowed him to answer questions posed by band director Emily Blanshan in order to help the group as a whole.

Colson also saw it as a good way to build connections across the schools.

“I thought it was a good experience [for me]. I had a good time eating with [the eighth-graders] in the auditorium and thought it offered some section bonding time,” Colson said.

This section bonding was not only a tool that would help the middle schoolers, but also something that deepened the connection between the members of Wind Symphony.

Blanshan taught the group not only the realities of being a musician, but also life lessons that each and every student can take with them as they face challenges in the future.

“[They] don’t need me for a tempo. [They] need to listen to each other and work together,” Blanshan said.

The workshop was another way for Wind Symphony to be a family that is there for each other because they helped one another teach what they are already masters in. It is clear that everyone needs help sometimes, even when talent is already there.

This tradition has offered a way for the highest band here to share a voice in teaching the next generation of high schoolers.

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