The 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: Marissa Boynton
Hometown: DeWitt, MI
School Name: DeWitt High School
Section: Clarinet
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
I love marching band and I love meeting new people. When I first heard about the honor band, it was like a dream come true. To march in a parade with other strong players and marchers, and the Rose Parade nonetheless, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
Definitely marching at Disneyland! Disney World has always been an important part of my life and I can’t wait to be part of the parades I loved as a child.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
Persistence is the key to success.
Never regret trying something new.
Take advantage of the opportunities around you.
Most memorable moment in band?
For my senior year show (fall 2016), we ended our show “Happy” with “Make Me Smile” by Chicago. The last few charts were loud and strong. When performing it at Ford Field for MCBA state finals, we cut off our final note and you could hear it ring throughout the stadium. It was my last show and the best one my band, my section, and myself had ever performed. We ended up winning 3rd place and getting a score of 90.025, both records for my high school.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
I’m part of the varsity quiz bowl and robotics team at my school.
What’s your favorite book?
“Monument 14” by Emmy Laybourne
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
“If My Heart was a House” by Owl City
Favorite movie?
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Peanut butter
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
After I graduate high school, I plan to go to college to get a degree to teach high schoolers biology or music.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
My sister and I, with the help of our band director, resurrected my high school’s wind ensemble in order to provide our band members with another opportunity to play and challenge themselves.
