The fall season is not only nerve-wracking for athletes, but for musicians too. Several talented Pleasant Valley musicians dedicated their summer to prepare for All-State auditions. This terrifying event took place on Oct. 22. Many students from the high school were accepted and will perform later on this school year.
Two of Pleasant Valley’s musicians, Maureen Thomsen, senior, and Sophia Xiao, junior, excel in their respectable instruments. Thomsen’s expertise is the clarinet, and she continues to enjoy playing and performing because of the people who encourage her. “My lesson teacher, Rob Hadesbeck, and my band directors inspire me to continue playing! They are all amazing people,” Thomsen expresses.
Inspiration comes to people in various ways, for Xiao, her love for the violin comes from the “escape” it gives her. “I really wanted to play the violin, and when I got my first rental, I was literally on cloud nine for the rest of the day. Music is like an outlet or my other voice. I love the feeling of being enveloped in it. It’s like a natural high.”
Both Thomsen and Xiao wanted to take their passion for their instruments to the next level. This required many hours and days of practice to achieve their aspirations. The audition for band members includes, “Two etudes, scales, and a solo. Certain etudes are assigned each year and they are released in July. From July to audition time in October, you must prepare (etudes) as well as your scales and solo.” Thomsen states.
The feeling once the judges announce the all state list, makes all the hard-work worth it. Xiao shares, “It’s an amazing feeling to play in the orchestra because you have 79 other violins around you along with the other instruments. Everyone is at that level of musicianship which makes working with them a blast.”
Thomsen is one of three Pleasant Valley musicians to make All-State all four years. She shares this accomplishment with fellow classmate Ian Aplington, senior. Thomsen happily shares, “I am so blessed to have the honor of being a four year All-Stater. It is still hard to believe but I am looking forward to return this year. It is such an amazing experience!”
Thomsen and Xiao are among the few who made All-State, but they are among the many who continue every year to thrive in his or her talents.
