The ninety-ninth 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: Kyle Lavin
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
School Name: Marian Catholic High School
Section: Tuba/Sousaphone
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
My older brother Ryan, who was already accepted to march in the parade, was one of the biggest reasons I wanted to audition for the honor band. My parents thought it would be a great opportunity for me to go and audition to make it into this prestigious band. I also thought that it would be such a big highlight in my life to be able to march with some of the most talented high school musicians in the nation!
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am most excited about is being able to march with the greatest players and marchers at the high school level. It’s just a great feeling to know that I’m going to be a part of all of the festivities that encompass the Rose Bowl and Parade.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
The three things that I have learned in band are leadership, setting personal goals, and teamwork. Over the course of my band career, I have my leadership skills have evolved. One way was taking the role as a drum major in my middle school’s marching band. My role was to lead, guide, support and teach my peers. Leading by being a good person, having strong musicianship, and fine tuning marching style. I set personal goals for myself. Band has taught me that no matter where you go or what you do, always do the best that you can do. If you do your best every time, you don’t have to worry about doing better next time. So every time I walk into a rehearsal, I am there to do my very best. The last of the three things I’ve learned from band is the teamwork aspect. This year with my section was a bit rough, but we always pulled though, no matter what was going on, we always worked together as a team to get the job done. We always worked as one to make everyone as good of a person, player and marcher as they could be.
Most memorable moment in band?
My most memorable moment in band, was walking out of the tunnel in Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time in BOA’s Super Regional Prelims. I vividly remember seeing so many people there just to watch us perform. What a great honor! It was equally memorable to walk on that field again for Grand National Finals Performance this year. I was so excited to be there!
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
This year as a freshman at Marian Catholic, I have been mainly focused on my studies and my music.
What’s your favorite book?
My favorite book is Catcher in the Rye, because the author, J.D. Salinger, plays with your head throughout the course of the story. He uses different objects as symbols for a specific thing in the story. I really just love how the story just makes you think.
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
I do not have one favorite song, I like all kinds of Classic Rock. I really just have a love for it all and the reason is because each song has a story woven into the words of the song. I also love Classical music. I like a very wide range of Classical, such as Hall of the Mountain King and The Planets.
Favorite movie?
Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Fudge
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I have not decided anything fully because I’m very early in my high school career, but being a band director would be a great profession!
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I have participated in two BOA events-the BOA Super Regional in Indianapolis this past fall and the BOA Grand National Championships. What a thrill to perform in Finals!
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I used to have a severe case of asthma. I used to always have these coughing fits where I would cough for days on end and needed nebulizer treatments every four hours. I was on lots of medication. Then I found band, and after about six months I didn’t need medicine anymore. I was cured! The tuba cured my asthma!
