The past month or so, I have noticed that it seems as if my roommate (and close high school friend), Ivonne Grunseich, is always carrying an instrument and a ton of sheet music, heading off to rehearsals, or going to the practice rooms. And no, she is not a music major. In fact, she is in the Lynch School of Education with a double major in math and secondary education! So, I decided that it would be a good idea to sit down with her and have a conversation about music!
Well, let’s start off with telling the readers about the range of instruments that you have played over the years.
Okay, so I began learning the piano when I was in first grade. In fourth grade I began taking flute lessons, and picked up the saxophone the following year. I began learning the French horn when I was a sophomore in high school, and when I was a junior I started learning how to play the mellophone.
So, I’m sure you get asked this question quite often, but what exactly is a mellophone?
Ha, yes I get asked this all the time! Well, the mellophone is kind of difficult to describe, but basically, it’s a marching instrument that is typically played by French horn players because you can’t march with the French horn. I mean, I guess you could describe it as sort of similar to a trumpet in many respects.
What groups are you involved in here on campus?
I play the mellophone in the “Screaming Eagles” Marching Band, as well as the Pep Band. I am also a French horn player in the Symphonic Band!
Do you have any all time favorite band pieces?
Ah that’s such a hard question to ask any musician! Hmmm okay, well right off the top of my head I would say El Camino Real and Russian Christmas Music, both by Alfred Reed. I played them both in high school, so listening to them now definitely brings back some great memories of when I performed these songs with my awesome high school band conductor!
Is there an instrument that you wish you could play?
Oh there’s so many instruments that I would love to play! But, if I had to pick one, I would definitely pick the cello. I mean, as cheesy as it may sound, I have always wished that I could play Bach Cello Suite No. 1!
Why should non-music majors continue to play music through college? Also, do you have any advice to aspiring musicians?
I truly believe that music is an important thing for everyone to have in his or her life. One of the best feelings as a musician is when all the hard work that you put into the rehearsals pays off at the concert. My advice to aspiring musicians would be that it is never too late to pick up an instrument. Oh, and the cliché saying, “Practice, practice, practice,” is absolutely true. But most importantly, just have fun!
Article written by Jane PodlaskiÂ
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