Rennissance Man

Clarinet player with many other talents

Written by Alex Lavender

Writer. Filmmaker. Musician. There’s more to this multifaceted student than his iconic, long hair that he’s been growing out since middle school. Lots of students at school call Harlen Rembert (’23) “Jesus” or “Skinny Jesus”.

“I don’t mind it at all,” Rembert said. “I find it humorous and oddly fitting.”

He began playing the clarinet six years ago, when he was in fifth grade. In ninth grade, he joined our school’s marching band. His favorite part of marching band is being himself and finding people with similar interests.

Rembert auditioned for drum major last year.

“I feel that it gave me valuable experience and skills even though I didn’t get the position,” Rembert said.

“My favorite part of concert band is expanding the amount of music I’ve played.” Rembert says. “My favorite is marching band.”

The clarinet was his first instrument choice because a band teacher said that he would be best at it. It wasn’t easy.

“I’d say the hardest part of learning an instrument is figuring out all of the fingerings for the notes.”

Reeds are important for instruments like the saxophone, oboe, bassoon, and the clarinet. These instruments need reeds to make a sound.

“Reeds have a very unique taste,” Rembert explains. “It tastes the way an old wood house smells.” When not playing instruments. Harlen writes. “My stories usually include a character that is simply a fictionalized version of myself.” Rembert answers. “By taking this fictional clone of myself and throwing him into some fantastical scenario, I am able to express myself in a more concise fashion than I can in reality.” “Writing is not only an outlet

“I didn’t even realize I was by which I express myself, but it is any different from anyone simply instinctual for me.” Rembert said. “Even if I could not type else until my third grade class or write them out, I would still have the ideas inside me. They are read a book called ‘The Name inseparably a part of me.” of this Book is Secret.’” Rembert enjoys writing both fiction and nonfiction. -Harlen Rembert “I enjoy the boundless freedom of fiction the most by far, although I do entertain the idea of making documentaries.” He also likes creating short films. As a little kid, he would make videos by waving toy dinosaurs in front of a camera. Rembert has recently begun to pursue more serious ameteur filmmaking, encouraged by his best friend Kyle Nowell, who started making YouTube videos during quarantine back in 2020. Rembert and Nowell are currently looking at combining their efforts to make their own small film. Once he graduates, Rembert plans to go to college to study filmmaking and writing in general.

Rembert practices photography nearly every day by taking pictures of the sky.

Rembert also has synesthesia, a condition where someone can experience a sense from another sense. He associates each number and letter with a color. He says it’s a very interesting trait.

“I didn’t even realize I was any different from anyone else until my third grade class read a book called The Name of this Book is Secret. The book describes characters who have synesthesia, and it made me realize it wasn’t a characteristic common to everyone.”

Synesthesia also gives Rembert an advantage.

“By associating each number and letter with certain colors, I am able to remember codes somewhat better by thinking of them not only as numbers and/ or letters but as a series of colors.”

Another thing Rembert enjoys doing is watching movies and TV shows. His favorite genre is science fiction.

“It’s not necessarily the otherworldly or technical elements that I love most about them, although I certainly enjoy those aspects, but rather the way in which they make us look deeper at ourselves and humanity as a whole.”

His favorite movie is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (1984), and his favorite TV show is Neon Genesis Evangelion.

“I have a deep appreciation for how the story can be applied to anyone and everyone, as well as the art style.” Rembert says about Neon Genesis Evangelion. He also admires Revolutionary Girl Utena, FLCL, and The Owl House for similar reasons. He also enjoys the lighthearted humor of Seinfeld. The first time Mrs. Swann met Rembert was at another student’s quinceanera. That student is a friend of his from band, and Swann had her in her Intro to Journalism class.

When Swann first had Harlen in her class, she thought that Rembert was “super nice, super chill, whip-smart, and friendly”.

“He writes any genre equally well.” Swann said. “Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. He’s the fiction editor for Voices lit mag this year.”

Swann says that she has not heard Rembert play the clarinet, she just knows him from writing.

“He’s an astute reader, and his writing is beautifully specific and imaginative.”

Witer. Filmmaker. Musician. He can do it all.