Musician of the Month: Kayla Olson
Senior Kayla Olson (left) poses with fellow marching band member and senior Kate Powell. Photo submitted by Olson
Zoe Dickert
Kayla Olson, a senior at Hamilton High School, is the current Musician of the Month! Below are some questions she’s answered about her experience in band, from balancing homework to performances. If you're interested in joining the band, or are into anything music related, then keep reading.
What instrument/instruments do you play?
I play the oboe in concert band and marimba in marching band, and on the side I play piano, alto saxophone, and ukulele.
What is your favorite part of band during the marching season?
I love seeing the strides the band is able to make visually and musically throughout the season. We put hours of practice into the show, so it is very rewarding to perform well at the end of the season.
How many hours of the week do you put towards band?
Looking at a typical week of marching band with daily practice during class, a Wednesday night rehearsal, a football game on Friday, and a competition on Saturday. I spend about 20 hours working on the show a week.
What are the differences between band in middle school and band in high school?
In middle school, band occurs every other day, but in high school we rehearse together everyday. In high school band, the pieces we play require quality practice outside of school as well, something that may not have been necessary in middle school. Middle school only has one band, but in high school, there are two different ensembles called Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony. Players in each section are split into their respective bands based on ability and comfort level with more challenging pieces. Another obvious difference is that the first six weeks of high school band are focused on marching band, while the entirety of middle school band is spent preparing for concerts.
What piece are you playing right now? What do you like about it?
On oboe, I am working on mastering “Six Metamorphoses after Ovid” by Benjamin Britten. I love this piece because each movement is based on a character in Roman mythology, and it is fun to play with the style of each piece and how it conveys the personality of the character.
Is it easy to make friends within the band community?
SO EASY! I have gotten to know almost everyone in the band, especially those that have been in the same ensemble as me since 6th grade. Some of my closest friends are part of the band, and I love getting to spend time with them on a daily basis. There are even opportunities to meet people that aren’t in your section or ensemble, so don’t be afraid to branch out and say hello to people you don’t normally see. Everyone is super friendly!
How do you like the show this year compared to other years?
I love the music the show includes this year! It is called “Along Came a Spider,” and while I was not super excited about the spider concept at first, I have learned to embrace the creepiness considering how well it fits the Halloween mood of October. I will say that I enjoyed the show titled “Volcanic Voices” the most out of my three years in marching band.
How do you balance homework and rehearsals before the football games?
I am also a part of the high school swim team in the fall, so my time is very limited after school. Wednesday nights are especially busy as I go straight from my swim practice to marching band, often not going home for the day until 9:00 at night. In those times, I try to keep a list going throughout the day of things I need to accomplish that night so that once I get home, I can get to work right away. I also prioritize my homework by completing the assignments that need to be turned in the next day first, and leaving other long term assignments for another night either earlier or later in the week. As long as you plan out your workload for the week and not leave important tasks for nights where the band commitment is heaviest, you will be just fine!
Are you planning on pursuing music in the future?
I am involved in an orchestra ensemble outside of school called the Youth Wind Orchestra of Wisconsin, or YWOW, and I plan on finding a group similar to that in college that I could join! I am not ready to give up playing my instrument, but I want to find an option that is not a huge time commitment considering the workload of college classes.
Do you have any advice for incoming freshmen in band?
Keep an open mind, and try your best to engage with the activity as much as possible! I have made some of my fondest memories through band, so never take for granted those little moments that make band so special. Have fun attending the football and basketball games, and remember that people want to hear your sound!
