The twenty-fifth 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: Morgan Oliver
Hometown: West Columbia, SC
School Name: Airport High School
Section: Trumpet
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
The first time I heard of this trip, I didn’t think much of it because I have an incredible fear of flying. However, the next year when I returned to the Music for All Summer Symposium, I heard everyone in the marching band track talking about how they were going and couldn’t believe they got to march in the Tournament of Roses Honor Band. After really thinking about the fact I’ll only have this opportunity once in my life, I decided this would definitely be something worth facing my fears for.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
Other than the parade itself, I’m most excited about getting to see my friends that I only get to see once a year at Music for All. Ever since day one in my first small group, I began making friends that I’ll never be able to forget. They mean the entire world to me and it just proves how much music can connect people.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
1. “You earn your trophies at practice, you just pick them up at competition” is one of the most accurate quotes I’ve ever heard. If you don’t work hard and really fight for what you want to achieve, you will never reach the goal.
2. Band is like a big dysfunctional family, where anyone would do anything for you and vice versa. No matter what, you always have your band family to lean on in times of need.
3. “One more time” NEVER means one more time.
Most memorable moment in band?
This past marching band season, we qualified for state competition after not making it for the first time in five years. The year before, the thousand year flood of South Carolina hit us right in the middle of our competition season, making the remainder of the year incredibly difficult for us because of schools and roads being closed for almost two weeks. The feeling when our name was called is unforgettable to me because I know that I helped our band regain our place as one of the top bands in our state.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
Winter guard for two seasons, French club, Tri-M music honor society for the past two years, Beta club, Yearbook staff, and the schools concert festival band.
What’s your favorite book?
Spirit and Dust by Rosemary Clement-Moore
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
The Hymn of Acxiom by Vienna Tang
Favorite movie?
The Great Gatsby
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
After high school I plan on attending Clemson University to major in horticulture and eventually work for the National Park Service. While in college, I would like to participate in a world class drum corps
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
Yes, I have attended the Music for All Summer Symposium for the past two years. The camp is an absolutely life changing experience because of the people there and the unbelievable environment all activities are conducted in.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I am a competitive Greek dancer! I have traveled to Orlando, Florida for the Hellenic Dance Festival, coming in third place out of 20 teams in the past few years.
