The eighty-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: Justine Singson
Hometown: Houston, TX
School Name: James E. Taylor HS
Section: Color Guard
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
It’s not everyday you get a chance to perform in a national event and it’s definitely not everyday that you get accepted for one!
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
Since it’s something that happens only every so often, I’m most excited about being a part of such an event.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
I’ve learned three of the most important things I know in band:
1) Manage your time wisely because you only get so many hours in a day.
2) Love your friends unconditionally because at the end of the day they will see you at your best and your worst.
3) Embrace every moment because you only get so many and they only last so long.
Most memorable moment in band?
There are so many to choose from! I think right now my most favorite memory is from this year when we were nearing the end of our marching season practices. My friends and I would just sit in the empty band lot long after everyone else left and watch the sunset and think about all the fun times we had growing up together. It’s pretty recent, but as a senior it’s really bittersweet to even think about.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
I’m involved in the National Honor Society. Other than that I am entirely devoted to Color Guard.
What’s your favorite book?
I don’t read an awful lot, but my favorite book right now is “The Art of Asking” by Amanda Palmer.
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Right now my favorite piece is called “Yuri on Ice”. It’s a fleeting instrumental piece that just embodies emotion and finding love, and it really hits home. It’s from a show with an anxious protagonist that’s learning ways to overcome his anxiety and insecurities, and mold it into something amazing. It’s just so relatable.
Favorite movie?
I love Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Practical Magic.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Cookies and Cream
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I want to march a Drum Corps! That and major in women and gender studies in college.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I’ve participated in Regional competitions for the last four years and a couple of Super Regionals. I also attend the Music for All Summer Symposium over the summer.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I’m an international student – I’ve lived half my life in the Philippines and the Netherlands, and only moved here four years ago. I came from an international community as well so I pride myself in cultural diversity.
