The twenty-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: Sam Hantzsch
Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI
School Name: Wauwatosa East High School
Section: Tenors/Drumline
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the band?
My band director was in the first honor band in 2005 as a clarinet player, and she recommended that I audition for this.
What part of the trip are you most excited about?
I am so excited to see my friends that I made at the percussion weekend again. I had so much fun with them and I can’t wait to play drums with them for a whole week.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band?
I’ve learned so many social skills in band that have helped so much in life and they’ve helped me get through high school. I’ve also learned many leadership skills that I have applied everywhere, especially in Boy Scouts. The final thing I learned was how to be myself; band has taught me to not pretend to be someone else, but to show who I truly am.
Most memorable moment in band?
My most memorable moment would be my freshman year at a football game, when one of the sousa players caught a field goal in the bell of his instrument.
Besides band, what are you involved in at school?
I am heavily involved in theatre at my school. We are opening this weekend for our fall show and I couldn’t be more excited for it (except I’m more excited for the parade).
What’s your favorite book?
I don’t really read that much, but I really enjoy the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That is the first series that really captivated me.
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
My favorite song would have to be Sports and Wine by Ben Folds Five. It is such an upbeat piece that I listen to whenever I need to get hyped up, but really most Ben Folds Five songs will do that for me.
Favorite movie?
The Blues Brothers
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
My plans for after high school are to attend the University of Wisconsin: La Crosse for a double major in Music Education and Percussion Performance.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I have participated in two Summer Symposiums and most recently Grand Nationals.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
A lot of people are surprised that I am a fairly good vocalist. While I don’t take lessons from them, I do very well with solo numbers in the school musicals
