Kaelyn Stanton, 16, a junior at Lynnwood High School
Question: The nonprofit group Music4Life loaned you the Pelland trumpet, a performance-level instrument, for this school year. The loan is based on recognizing exceptional talent in a young trumpet player. Can you tell me a little about this trumpet?
Answer: It’s a really a professional level trumpet. The tone is incomparable. I love this horn so much. It gives me a sense of confidence I didn’t feel with the instruments I’ve owned in the past. This one sort of makes me feel like a real musician and to be at the best level that I can be. The tone is beautiful on it. It’s definitely better than anything I’ve ever played.
Q: What color is the trumpet?
A: It’s silver.
Q: How long have you been playing the trumpet?
A: Since 5th grade. That’s when I was 9 or 10.
Q: What interested you in the trumpet?
A: Over the summer, between 4th and 5th grade, I had learned the clarinet. My 5th grade band teacher found me holding the trumpet. He said, ‘Wow not enough girls play the trumpet. We could use some more girls.’ I just wanted to be that oddball, I guess.
Q: What band activities are you involved in?
A: At school I’m in the wind ensemble, the honors band and the first jazz ensemble. Also in the school’s pep band.
I also participate this year in contest in February where we play a solo for the judge. If we’re good enough we get to go to state. Those are the main things I do with other music students.
Q: What other activities are you involved in?
A: I do Taekwondo and honors and AP classes. I have a (weekend) job at McDonald’s. I don’t do sports any more. I wanted to make more time for my AP classes.
Q: Which AP classes are you taking?
A: AP language and composition and AP biology.
Q: What are you plans after you graduate from high school?
A: I’m thinking about doing all my prerequisites at Shoreline and Edmonds community colleges and hopefully to get a bachelors in nursing. I’m hoping to be a nurse, particularly at the University of Washington hospital. I volunteered there over the summer. I like the area, the campus of the school. Working in the hospital was a lot of fun. It kind of gave me an idea of being a nurse. That’s my most definite plan for the moment.
Q: Do you do any volunteer work?
A: In June and July last year I volunteered at the Edmonds Summer Music School as a staff member. I made the environment more fun for the kids. That’s what the volunteer staff do. We help teach them techniques in music and good practicing tips. That was really fun.
Q: How old were the students?
A: The youngest is 6th grade and the oldest is 9th grade.
Q: What’s your favorite class?
A: Well, besides band, I really like biology. I like English, too. Probably between those two and band.
Q: When does band practice start?
A: I have zero period and second period band. Jazz band starts at 6:20 a.m. It’s so early for such loud noises. Then you have to focus and it’s like it’s too early.
Q: Are there any life lessons you’ve learned from band?
A: How to work as a team. It’s important for everyone to do their share of their work so that the product of the whole group can be satisfactory.
Q: Are you considering pursuing music in college and beyond?
A: I was thinking about it for a really long time. I was thinking about minoring in it. I was hoping our school offered AP music theory class. Music theory is really interesting to me, chord progressions. That’s the kind of classes I would take if I want to minor in music. I definitely want to be in band in whatever college I go to. I want to stick with it through college at least and be in the ensembles.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
