Corey Hall, senior, Jackson High

Published 9:00 pm Monday, January 26, 2004

Top of the world: A high scorer on the Timberwolves’ varsity basketball team, Corey maintains a 3.92 grade point average and was recently named first chair for alto saxophone on the 20-member all-state jazz band. The Washington Music Educators Association selected him over more than 200 sax players.

Musical background: Playing saxophone since fifth grade, Corey listens to a lot of saxophonists, including Stan Getz and John Coltrane. His father, Kevin, is a professional musician (trumpet) who has performed and taught for 30 years. Mom, Deb, also played piano; Uncle Parke Hall plays sax as well.

Anything else on the playlist: He likes a variety, but prefers rap before basketball games. He listens to "pretty much everything but country."

College plans: Looking into liberal arts colleges where he might be able to play basketball and continue playing saxophone. Already accepted to University of Washington. Will probably major in business or pre-dentistry.

‘Ladies and gentlemen …’: Plays jazz at weddings and other events with a small group during the summer, getting word-of-mouth recommendations from music teachers and other area musicians.

Studying pays off — twice: Met his girlfriend, Gretchen Bowman of Bellevue, at an SAT-preparation class in Kirkland. He also scored a 1400 on the test.

The future: "The demand for live music has really diminished over the last 20 or 30 years. I’ll definitely keep playing in the future, it’s just not something that I’ll be doing professionally. But I’ll definitely keep playing in bands when I’m older."

Know a super kid? Call us at 425-339-3036, or e-mail schoolfyi@heraldnet.com.