The tenth installment of a new series on the blog that we will be posting throughout the month of December. As some of you are aware, Music for All will be taking an Honor Band to the 2017 Rose Parade. Our members were selected by audition for the ensemble and come from all across the United States. We are looking forward to coming together for the first time as a band at the end of December and we hope this series will allow us all to get to know some (hopefully most!) of the members of this awesome ensemble!
Name: Andrew Joehlin
Hometown: Marion, OH
School Name: Pleasant High School
Section: Trumpet
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
My school has 400 kids in it and our band has 49. Because of our size, we aren’t allowed to compete at completions. I saw this as an opportunity to make my senior year and my last marching band performance something that I will remember forever. Also, I hope this will inspire other students at my school to put in the extra effort and dedication to make our band something to be proud of.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
The band bus rides!
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
Dedication, time management, and patience.
Most memorable moment in band?
Our band hasn’t had a drum major these past couple years, but I’ve always wanted to conduct the band. Our very last game our director was late returning to the stands, and we needed to play a song for the cheerleaders (it’s tradition). I went up on the latter and got to fulfill my dream of being drum major, even if it was only for a little while.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
I sing bass for our school’s chior, play trumpet in the instrumental combo for show chior, and preform in our school’s musical. I am an FCA officer, where I proudly represent the sport of marching band. I am also a witness for our schools mock Trial team.
What’s your favorite book?
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Haleluajah by Leonard Cohen
Favorite movie?
The Hobit film series.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry (with lots of strawberries mixed in)
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I plan on perusing a degree in Nursing from either Liberty University or Olivet Nazarene University. Both colleges will give me the opportunity to participate in marching band, as well as other musical ensembles.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I attended the 2015 Summer Symposium for marching band. This was my first experience with a band where excellence was the only option. Knowing that my band that week left it all on the stage, was an unforgetable and life-changing moment for me.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I am an Eagle Scout, and one of the youngest ever to be certified as a Level Two Search and Rescue Tecniction through the National Association for Search and Rescue. I am also a certified wilderness first responder and hope to join a search and rescue team this summer.
