This is the thirty-seventh 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: Sydney Linke
Hometown: Goose Creek, SC
School Name: Goose Creek H.S.
Instrument: French Horn
Which Ensemble Are You In?
Honor Band of America
What made you decide to apply to be a part of the ensemble?
I applied for this opportunity last year, but made an alternate spot. So I decided to try again! The reason why I wanted to apply is to have a music experience with others from other states. I will be able to learn and communicate in different ways because of the vast knowledge around me.
What are three things you’ve learned from being involved in band or orchestra?
The three things that I have learned in band and orchestra is that you have to listen to the whole ensemble, rather than just yourself or your section. I have also learned that you have to work together as a team. Each member has a part that they have to fulfill and then the team has to work together to put all the parts together. One more thing that I learned through band and orchestra is communication. When we play we communicate with each other, the conductor, and the audience. Through music, we can express multiple feelings so we can tell a story through the music.
Most memorable moment in band or orchestra?
My most memorable moment in band is when I played in the honor band at the University of South Carolina band clinic. We played amazing music and everyone in the ensemble were amazing players. I learned a lot as a musician and as a person from this clinic. My most memorable moment in orchestra is when I played in the Gaillard for the first time with the orchestra I play in.
Besides band/orchestra, what are you involved in at school?
In school I am involved in The National Honor Society, where we volunteer around the community while keeping up with an high academic status. We have recently adopted a military family and delivered cookies to nearby firemen.
What book have you read that you would recommend?
Tuesday with Morrie by Mitch Albom
What’s your favorite song or piece of music?
Some of my favorite pieces of music are:
The Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World”, Op. 95 by Antonin Dvorak
Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky
Horn Concerto No.1, Op.11 by Richard Strauss
Horn Sonata by Paul Hindemith
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Cotton Candy Expolsion
What’s your favorite non-music related hobby or past time?
I love to dance, I love watching movies and Grey’s Anatomy, and I also like to hang out with friends and go to different places I have never been to before in my hometown.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give a friend who needs some inspiration or motivation?
The success that you will earn at the end is greater than the frustration you have at the beginning.
What’s your current plan for what you want to do after graduating high school?
I will be going to a four-year University and will be majoring in Nursing. I will also like to earn a music performance certificate, so I can also continue on with music.
Have you participated in MFA/BOA events before? Which ones?
I have not participated in MFA/BOA event before.
Tell us something interesting/unique about you:
I have two different colored eyes. One of my eyes is green and the other is brown. Another interesting fact about myself is that I own an Alphorn.
