The seventy-sixth 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: Caroline Salas
Hometown: Kyle, TX
School Name: Lehman High School
Section: Color Guard
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
I saw the post about applying online and I thought this has to be one of the best things to be apart of. I did the audition video, and I told myself, if I think this is good enough, then I will send it in. I put it together and I watched it about 10 times critiquing myself as if I was the one judging it as if I was a the one making the decision. After my dad and my director, Mr. Green encouraged me, I knew I really wanted this. I am glad I did.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am really excited about going to California and performing at Disney, especially since I have always wanted to perform there! I am also eager that I get to go on this trip with my best friend Maija (She’s marching Clarinet).
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
The first one is really cheesy. We (my band) have this stuffed bunny who goes everywhere with us, his name is Velveteen. This all goes along with the children’s story of Velveteen rabbit. That bunny taught me if I truly believe in myself than anything is possible. The second one: Practice like you’ve never won and perform like you’ve never lost. This one goes along quite nicely with our band motto: Passion and Intensity. Finally, one of my favorites: you can surprise yourself with what you can do; trust your training, trust in what you know, and know the worst part is letting go.
Most memorable moment in band?
Freshman year marching season, when we performed at area prelims. I remember coming out of that performance and feeling like I just had the show of a lifetime. The band played beautifully, people were crying, the directors got chills, and we knew at that moment that we would make finals. It was the first time in the history of our band program we would advance onto area finals. At retreat, when they announced our name everyone in our band jumped up and celebrated as if we had just won the lottery. We had a great finals performance, and we got to pour Diet Coke over my director, Mr. Green! Which was a prize for meeting our goal of making area finals. I will never forget that weekend! That senior class was so special to me, and one of the best parts about it, was I got to make band history with my big brother on the field with me.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
I take multiple AP classes, and I am an ambassador for NSHSS. I’m a member of NHS and NTHS, vice president of Leo Club, and I’m secretary of our FBLA. Along with color guard, I play string bass for our band. At my church I volunteer as an altar server and help out as much as I can in my community.
What’s your favorite book?
Catcher in the Rye
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
I have a quite a few: Angels in the Architecture, Rhapsody in Blue, and Danzon No. 2, Take on Me by A-ha, Love in the Dark by Adele, and Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen.
Favorite movie?
Howl’s Moving Castle, Clueless, and Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Java Chocolate Chip
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
So far, I am going to attend college and major in Leadership Engineering, and with a minor in Industrial Engineering. I also want to march Drum Corps until I age out, then hopefully spin in WGI with Pride of Cincinnati. I also hope I can become a drill writer and guard director.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
Every year my band competes at the BOA San Antonio Super Regional and my freshman year we competed at the BOA Austin Regional.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
As weird as this is, I have this weird wrist disability that caused my ulna to be short, so I don’t have the normal flexibility as everyone else like turning my wrist so the palm is flat facing up. This makes color guard come with a little bit of a challenge, but I enjoy trying to work around it!
