The one-hundred and ninteenth 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: Jennifer Plank
Hometown: Germantown, WI
School Name: Germantown High School
Section: Tenor Saxophone
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
When I was going into my freshman year of high school, I attended the Music for All Summer Symposium and heard about this amazing opportunity to be in the 2013 Honor Band of America Rose Parade Band. However, my band had it’s own trip planned at the same time. Senior year, I heard about this opportunity again at camp. It was something that I was sad about not participating in at that time, so I was determined to participate this time around.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am so excited for the actual parade and to be able to go to Disneyland. Large parades are always such a unique experience, and since I have never been to Disneyland I am very excited to visit there as well.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
I have learned in band that you will always have a family there. Not only that, but I’ve also learned how to work better in a group towards one common goal, as well as how to work better with people you may not always get along with the best.
Most memorable moment in band?
My most memorable band moment was during my freshman year on a trip to England. When we were taking the tube (subway) back to the hotel for evening rehearsal with our chaperone, one of the main stations we needed to be able to get back quickly was shut down for some reason. Because of this, we had to somehow find a way to get back to the hotel, which we managed to do. The only problem was we showed up an hour late and missed the rehearsal. Thankfully the rest of the trip went according to plan!
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
Besides band, I was involved with Theatre, various volunteer societies and honor societies, strategist club, and Track and Field.
What’s your favorite book?
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
My favorite piece of music is River Flows in You by Yiruma. It is always so relaxing to listen to and I love playing this piece.
Favorite movie?
Avatar (James Cameron)
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Orange Dream
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I plan to study Entertainment Design with a concentration in Animation at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I have been a part of the Music for All Summer Symposium for four years from 2012-2015.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
In addition to playing the saxophone, I also play piano and am learning how to play guitar. With my band, I have also traveled to England, Germany, and Austria. I was also able to experience a short study abroad stay with a host family in Costa Rica through my school.
