Hello there! My name is Kevin Kay, and I’d like to introduce myself on this fabulous W&M Wind Ensemble blog. I suppose, first and foremost, I should say a little about myself. I am a freshman here at the college, hoping to major in physics with a minor in music. I was born and raised in Richmond, VA, and I went to Godwin High School in District 1 (for those of you familiar with VBODA!). With regards to musical background, it all started long ago, in December of what I remember as my 4th grade year. It was then that I received my first (and only) electric keyboard, which I fell in love with instantly and practiced diligently. From there I began to explore the wonderful world of music. Starting in 6th grade, I joined band and played the alto saxophone, which I still continue to play. It wasn’t until 8th grade when I discovered the amazing-ness that is the clarinet. The clarinet fascinated me, and I was eager to learn how to play it. Now it has become my favorite instrument, and the one that I play mostoften. I also got to explore miscellaneous instruments through other ensembles, like indoor drumline, where I learned pitched percussion (like Marimba), and just for fun, I marched tuba a couple years and euphonium one year in my high school marching band.
After reading that paragraph, one would assume that when I came to college, music would be one of the main focuses of my extracurricular life. And, well, that person would be correct. I was extremely excited to audition for the Wind Ensemble, and fortunately enough, I got in! The atmosphere here is so different than that of high school band. High school band, although I took it seriously, wasn’t always the most serious thing. We had tons of people who were just in it for friends, or who weren’t very serious about producing good music. However, I have not yet met a single person in WMWE that isn’t passionate and committed to the music and the ensemble. Everyone wants to be challenged and be great. The music we are receiving is very difficult, everyone is challenged, and everyone rises up to the expectations that are placed before us. This, to me, is the biggest difference between high school and WMWE (not to mention the fact that everyone is incredibly superb at their respective instrument). WMWE feels like how district and state band were, except that it doesn’t just meet for a weekend. We get to rehearse with each other multiple days a week, all year long, and I cannot wait to see where we are by the end of the year.
You all are the bomb diggity and I love playing with you guys!
Sincerely,
Kevin
