Where Are They Now Wednesday !!! Andrew Jacobson By the time I started high school at Mountlake Terrace in 2004, I had already been hearing for some time, from my older sister, Katie, about how great the music program was at MTHS. So, naturally, I wanted to be a part of it. During my freshmen year I was lucky enough to be placed in the top jazz band: Jazz 1. It was that early opportunity, which laid the groundwork for an unforgettable four years of music. From countless local music festivals, like Clark College and Lionel Hampton; to national competitions like the Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition in New York City; to international travel to France, Switzerland and more; my experience with MTHS Band was incredible to say the least. But as rewarding as being a part of a nationally ranked band or travelling to Paris and Montreux, was, it was the atmosphere within the band. It was an atmosphere of fun, sure, but also of focus, dedication and hard work. This inspiring setting was a direct result of the program’s outstanding director, Darin Faul. From extra rehearsals with local guest artists, to challenging charts from the likes of Pat Metheny and Maria Schneider, Darin was always pushing us beyond our comfort levels and allowing us to reach new heights. This drive and desire for excellence is something I have always remembered and have since applied, not just to music, but to every aspect of my life. Upon graduating from Terrace in 2008, I started college at the University of Washington, wherein I obtained a degree in International Studies. In addition to learning about a variety of fascinating topics, I also had the opportunity, during college, to travel back to Europe and study abroad in Berlin, Germany for three months. After graduating in March of 2013, I began to look at what was next and while my eventual career path was quite open ended, I was sure about one thing: I wanted to play music again. Today, I am working simultaneously on playing music as well as advancing my professional career. In December I played drums on a friend’s master’s recital at UW. Additionally, I am currently rehearsing for a group some friends and I are putting together and in September I am recording with euphonium expert, Danny Helseth, for his Doctoral of Musical Arts degree. However, in addition to music I have also been doing some unpaid freelance writing, interning, learning some computer programming and job-hunting. To pay the bills, I am currently working for Zeeks Pizza in Ravenna; so, stop by and say hi!
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 02:43:09 +0000
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