ARTIST PROFILE

TURN UP THE VOLUME

GEORGE'S FAVORITE BAND MEMORIES

1DISNEY TRIP During the 2019 Disney trip, George gets a piggy-back ride from a friend. This photo, taken in Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, depicts a triumphant young George riding the back of a fellow band mate after performing a concert at the amusement park. In the photo the paving is wet, which contributed to the "kind of lame" time that the band had at Disney World in 2019. 2HALFTIME SHOW Snapped at the perfect moment, during the dance break of "Smooth Criminal," the band shows off their talents during a pregame show. The band frequently will do dance numbers to prove their prowess on the field to the football players.

BY MADELINE BARKER Remember those recruitment campaigns that the high school and middle school band departments would present to the intermediate school? Yeah, those worked. George Turner, class president and now music aficionado, first became interested in the band because of those presentations. He also had older role models who were "deeply involved" in the music department.

Through his many years in the program, he has moved around quite a bit. He started on the bass in fifth grade, in sixth grade, he switched to the trumpet, and then he switched again in eighth grade- this time to the French Horn. In addition to the horn, he plays a plethora of other instruments including the mellophone, the ukulele, guitar, and piano.

While he is now also passionate about vocal music, that was not always the case. After performing the musical "Elf" in eighth grade, George said he just wasn’t that interested in singing and became exclusively a band kid.

After Mrs. Saunders finally recruited him for choir, however, he began to enjoy the experience of being involved in all of the fine arts programs available. "As that year was wrapping up, singing really just still wasn’t enjoyable for me and I wasn’t very comfortable in my voice, but somehow, when we sang 'Mad World' for our last concert something clicked!" he recalled. "I then continued in choir, began doing more musical theatre, and even joined the a cappella group. After that, it was also actually one of the first songs that I learned on piano, therefore solidifying my love of the piano, as well as singing."

One of the reasons that band is so beloved by all participants is because of the fun memories they make together. For instance, during the 2019 band trip to Cedar Point, George and

his whole group got food poisoning from chicken. While it was not funny at the time, years later, they can safely joke about it. (Note: The entire group is still wary of poultry). One memory that thankfully has nothing to do with foul fowl is when Mr. Smith, the band director, takes them outside to practice their songs. Not only do the band members get to enjoy the pleasant breeze and sunshine, but they also provide a steady and delightful distraction for their friends in math class. The band frequents Cedar Point, as well as other interesting places like Virginia Beach and Disney Land. George said the Virginia Beach trip was very fun, but, surprisingly, the Disney trip less than magical. "'House of the Rising Sun' is my all time "To be honest, it was not the most fun experience I’ve had with the band because they had so many “fun-killing” rules when favorite and actually it came to dancing and to do our normal got me into guitar, but thing in a parade," George said. While the trips are one of the biggest

I’d say the most reasons why kids join the band in the impactful to my music career would be first place, George joined because he was interested in music from a young age. Some of his favorite artists are Bill Withers, Black 'Mad World'" Keys, the Weekend and Gorillas. "'House of the Rising Sun' is my all time - GEORGE TURNER favorite and actually got me into guitar, but I’d say the most impactful to my music career would be 'Mad World,'" George said. George said that music has impacted his life in many other ways. "It has helped me with my confidence, public speaking, leadership, and my overall social life," he said. "I have made so many good friends along the way, all while doing an activity that I deeply enjoy.” Because of the positivity that band and music had brought into his life, George says wants to continue playing instruments in college in a small band like a pep band. Regardless if he does that or not, he will continue to be a lifelong musician on his own time.

3TOAST As a sophomore, George was in the band Toast with Cole and Cian McDermott, Ian Hinkle and Spencer Tresiak.

4PERFORMING While waiting to perfrom in the Marching Band, George warms up by tuning his instrument and doing a quick run-through of his song for the upcoming performance. 5TOPIC During freshman year, George got to play the part of the Grinch in the musical "Seussical." This photo was taken right after the last show, and when his friends were done hugging him. They found quite a bit of green paint on themselves as well.