This is the seventeenth installment of a new chapter in our Student Features series on the blog that we will be posting leading up to the 2017 Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha. Music for All will be featuring three honor ensembles (Honor Band of America, Honor Orchestra of America, and the Jazz Band of America) at the Music for All National Festival, March 9th through March 11th. We look forward to getting to know all of these wonderful students who have been accepted into these prestigious ensembles!
Name: Jakob Schoenfeld
Hometown: Oviedo, FL
School Name: Paul J. Hagerty High School
Instrument: Percussion
Which Ensemble Are You In?
Honor Band of America
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the ensemble?
I always enjoy participating in events where I get to come together with other amazing musicians and learn a program in a few days. Particularly last year, I had such a great time in the Honor Band of America and the Music For All Festival as a whole, so I knew I definitely wanted to come back to have another great experience.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band or orchestra?
1. Preparation is vital for success.
2. Showing respect to directors and leaders is necessary to see the results you want.
3. If you’re early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late.
Most memorable moment in band or orchestra?
Performing Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony with the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra in Switzerland this past summer.
Besides band/orchestra, what are you involved in at school?
I play on the JV soccer team..
What book have you read that you would recommend?
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Symphony #10, movement 2 – Shostakovich
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Strawberry
What’s your favorite non-music related hobby or past time?
Building balsa wood structures
What’s one piece of advice you’d give a friend who needs some inspiration or motivation?
Sometimes, you have to look past the immediate situation in front of you. Problems that arise can create a lot of up-front stress, but it is always important to understand what lies further down the road.
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I plan on attending a university or conservatory to focus on Percussion Performance. After that, I hope to start taking professional orchestra auditions.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
Yes. I participated in Honor Band of America last year.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I have a Polish middle name – Lukasz
