Music is life for many people at Northwood. It is a means of expression and sometimes an escape from reality. While Northwood has a successful arts program, some students take it upon themselves to continue their musical education outside of school.
“Music means everything to me. I couldn’t live in a world without music,” senior Michael Phillips said.
Phillips started playing four years ago when he was searching for a new hobby. After trying several new activities, he decided that playing the guitar was for him. He has been playing since then and he is glad that he learned to play. He wishes that more people would learn.
“If more people played, then I think they would have more respect for musicians. Most people have little or no understanding of the difficulty of being a musician, and they think that music is easier than it really is,” Phillips said.
Junior Shea Wood plays guitar, piano, bass guitar, mandolin, harmonica, trumpet, baritone and tuba. Most of Northwood, at some point, has heard him playing in different places around the school before classes start. Wood was inspired by The Beatles to begin learning music when he was in the seventh grade. He has written some original songs.
“I don’t have names for any of them yet. I have a temporary name for one of my songs until I add lyrics to it. Then I can come up with a real name for it. Right now the temporary name is ‘Purple Bird Aircraft,’” Wood said.
Wood also performs covers of other artists’ songs such as ‘Hey Jude,’ ‘Day Tripper’ and ‘Good Riddance.’
“To me music means something to help you escape. It helps you relax. It helps you feel better. It’s a safer and better way to keep yourself happy and entertained than doing drugs or drinking alcohol,” Wood said.
Junior Jake Marlowe was inspired to play guitar through listening to music. He works with Wood to write original songs and perform some covers.
“The best thing about playing guitar is that what you make is your own creation. With a little bit of music theory and practice, it can sometimes be simple to come up with a new great idea for a song that expresses how you feel about something,” Marlowe said.
Not all music is instrumental. Instead of playing an instrument, sophomore Kelly Reiter sings. She got started when she auditioned for a professional children’s choir at age seven, and has been singing ever since then. She is currently in a vocal music class in addition to her work outside of school. She records her own original songs, some of which include “It’s My Heart Anyway” and “I Fold.” Many have also seen her music video for her song “Rednecks & Gangsta’s” on Youtube.
“Music makes me happy. It sounds lame, but it’s true,” Reiter said. “It’s something that’s free and can help any situation. It’s a means of expression.”
Junior Jeremiah Hartsock has performed in Northwood’s musicals and in concerts with the vocal program, but he also plays guitar, ukulele and bass. He has been playing for about eight years. He says he plays because his grandfather played.
“[My favorite thing about playing is] being able to listen to the music and let the emotions flow. I let my guitar speak for me,” Hartsock said.
The talent and love for music that these students have makes some people ask if it would be their field of choice for a career. Wood says a definite yes.
“I do plan on making a career out of music. I want to be a performer on stage and record music in a studio. If I can’t do any of that, then I would like to teach students about music,” Wood said.
Reiter loves music, but she does not know if it would be the right career choice for her.
“My career is completely up in the air. I love to act and to sing and perform. I also am a really serious student,” Reiter said. “Entertainment is a fickle industry. People rise and fall quickly, and most never make a living, so I’m realistic and careful.”
— By Kasey Jenkins