The one-hundred and 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: Nathaniel Pekas
Hometown: Sioux Falls, SD
School Name: O’Gorman Catholic High School
Section: Trumpet
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
I applied for the band because my school does not go on a marching band trip like many others do, yet I still wanted an experience like this. Additionally, this is a high-level ensemble, so I knew that the people I would meet would care about band just as much as I do, making this a one-of-a-kind experience.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am most excited about playing with this amazing ensemble. We have had outstanding music, instrumentalists, and instructional staff so far, so I can’t wait to meet everyone in person!
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
1. A good work ethic is key to achieving your dreams.
2. The people you meet in high-level experiences like these are some of the best out there.
3. Music is my favorite way to express myself because the more I stick with it throughout the years, the more I can create what I truly want to.
Most memorable moment in band?
I originally started band on French Horn, but I really wanted to be in jazz band, so I started playing Trumpet half way through seventh grade. I still play both nowadays, but I can’t decide which one I like better! French Horn is a little bit easier for me to play, but jazz is definitely more fun.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
I am quite involved with tennis and debate at my school, but band is definitely my forte.
What’s your favorite book?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy.
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
I have two: Mr. Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra… and
Groove Merchant by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
Favorite movie?
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla with hot fudge
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I want to do something science-related because I really enjoy it, but I also really love band, so I definitely want to at least minor in Music in college. My physics teachers once pointed out that the techniques sound engineers use in designing instruments and acoustic spaces all involve physics and chemistry to produce the best sound possible, so maybe the two are not so different after all.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
My band is usually not able to go to big BOA events, so acceptance into this high-caliber ensemble is a huge honor.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I love to stay active by snow-skiing in the winter and water-skiing in the summer.
