The fourty-second 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: Katherine Reeves
Hometown: Marietta, GA
School Name: Pope High School
Section: Drum Major
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
Through Music for All’s Summer Symposium and the time I have spent with my own band. I have learned more, grown more, and accomplished more than I ever imagined before I was a part of a marching band or in a leadership position. I believe that the people at Bands of America are the most hardworking, charismatic, and inspiring people in the country, and having one last chance to meet and work with these individuals is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
The chance to work with a group of 300 students and teachers, equally as dedicated to music I am, is a prospect unmatched by any other opportunity I have ever had.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
1. Putting the band before your own self reaps far more reward than a good night sleep, perfect grades, or any friendship with one who cannot understand the purpose and importance of your devotion.
2. Whether you are a freshman, senior, flute, tuba, drum major, rookie, section leader, flag, weapon, parent, director, or anything in between, you are important. Only when every member of a group performs their part to the best of their ability does ordinary become extraordinary.
3. One who is talented, but apathetic will never get as far as one who is struggling, but determined.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
As a leader, I feel that I can only serve my program to the best of my ability by focusing all of my time and energy to band. Since marching season has ended, I have gotten involved in Winter Guard and joined Sources of Strength as an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention.
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Anything that I can sing along with in my car!
Favorite movie?
Meet the Robinsons
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Turkey Hill Double Dunker…it’s like mocha ice cream with Oreo’s and cookie dough. 10/10 recommend.
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I am currently planning to take a gap year to begin working, getting involved with social equality and justice groups, and taking time to discover more of my interests and talents.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
In 2015 and 2016, I attended the Leadership Weekend and the Drum Major Institute at Music For All’s Summer Symposium.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I was a competition dancer for eight years before I joined marching band my sophomore year.
