Drumroll Please: A Farewell to Seniors in Band

All photos submitted by band members.

Disha Deepak

“This senior class has been really great. They really understand the core of why this activity is important, and they’ve been extremely encouraging of others expressing their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. They’ve done a good job setting up the band for leadership in the future.”

— Mr. Waite

Band is a community. More than that, band has been described by many students as their second family. It’s helped students grow as musicians, individuals, and leaders, all throughout their years of education. This year, there are 25 seniors in the band, all of whom have devoted countless hours of their time to being in band. Whether it be practicing for concert season, joining jazz band, playing pep music at basketball games, or participating in marching season, every band member is an essential part of the band family. This series is dedicated to honoring the seniors in band, and giving us all a little insight into who they are, their band experience, and the true essence of what it means to be a “band kid.”

“Playing the flute is like writing a book. You’re telling what’s in your heart…it’s easier to play if it’s right from your heart. You get the tone, and the fingers will follow.”

— Eddie Cahill

Hiranmayi

Hiranmayi Swaminathan is second chair in the HHS upper band flute section. Seven years ago, she fell in love with the sound and feel of the flute, and is sad to be ending her journey with the flute. Although she doesn’t plan to continue playing after high school, she’s grateful for the years of experience she gained. Hiranmayi stated that some of her best friends and memories are from band, such as when the band won second place at the state-level competition in her freshman year.

“After state, a group of us ended up at Noodles, and it was such a fun, wholesome experience.” Hiranmayi plans on majoring in education at UW-Madison, and is excited to continue her leadership there. Currently, she is captain of the HHS debate team, and is the co-founder of the SSI-HHS joint book club, Book Bungalow.

Her advice for future band members is “Focus on making friends and building relationships with people, and try to keep a positive attitude! Certain parts of marching band season specifically can be tough, but a positive attitude makes it so much easier.”

Brooke

Brooke Tlachac is third chair in the HHS upper band flute section. Having played violin for nine years, she originally switched to the flute in fifth grade. In seventh grade, she left the band for two years to focus on her pursuit of the violin through MSYO—Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

She mentioned, “In freshman year, I realized how much I missed being a part of the band so I decided to come back. This is my third year back in the band and coming back has been one of my best decisions!” Having missed out on band in her freshman year, Brooke mentioned that she regrets missing out on the experience, having a much more difficult transition into high school without the guidance and friends she later made in band. Outside of band, Brooke plays tennis in the fall, works as a ski instructor in the winter, and is on the executive board of the Hamilton French Club. She also is an active participant in NHS, A Novel Idea Book Club, and Ski and Board club. She plans to attend UW Whitewater and is undecided in her major, though she’s considering both education and psychology. Brooke’s favorite thing about band is both the community and friends she makes, as well as the lessons learned.

“Music has always been one of my passions and having the opportunity to learn it, practice it, and bring it to a performance level is always incredible!”

Olivia

Olivia Verhaalen is fourth chair in the HHS lower band flute section. Olivia’s been in band for three years, excluding her sophomore year due to the pandemic. She volunteers at HAWS in Waukesha as a dog walker, and plans to attend UW-Eau Claire with a major in business communications.

Olivia’s advice for future band members? “Stick with it. I know that starting off your freshman year with marching band is not always a fan favorite. In fact, it makes most people want to quit, however I promise that it pays off. Some of the best memories are made in marching band. And if you don’t want to deal with playing your instrument for the first few months of band, join guard! Just remember to practice your instrument before the concert season starts.”

Olivia described her favorite memory from this season as “bittersweet.” As sad as the bus ride back from state was, she felt that we had performed well, and strongly believes that the hard work and dedication the band put in contributed to the way they felt as they exited the field, and that means more to her than any score from the judges.

Scotland

Scotland Nicholson is fourth chair in the HHS upper band flute section. He plays both the flute and the piccolo, and has been in band for eight years. Throughout his years of instrumental music, there were times he felt like giving up. However, the fun, energetic atmosphere of the band community keeps him coming back, and he plans to continue this by double majoring in Music Education and Flute Performance at Carroll University. Scotland is currently involved in MYSO as well, specifically the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Flute Ensemble. Additionally, he’s an internationally certified First Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, and the head of the E-Sports club at HHS.

When asked about why he enjoys band, Scotland stated that, “Mr. Neubauer showed me how much fun band is and he taught me so much about music, and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t stop playing, I wouldn’t let what he taught me go to waste. I love the thrill of performing and the adrenaline when we step onto a football field to perform for hundreds, sometimes thousands of people. Nothing can compare to that feeling of being surrounded by those that you love and care for while doing what you love.”