Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra
Senior Spotlight Class of 2020
From Mr. Koehler
You know better than most how these last weeks likely would have looked: me tearing my hair out about this passage or that one, imploring some section to practice more, asking us to listen more closely. Even these stresses I miss now, but not nearly so much as I will miss the final product, the concert where everything finally comes together and we get to share the fruits of our collective talents and hard work.
I am sorry that we have lost this chance to make music together, and sorry that you will not hear your name spoken on the stage of Chenery Auditorium as you accept personal applause; this is yet one more milestone at the end of your high school career lost to the pandemic. Despite the importance of marking an occasion, however, in the end, a milestone is just what the word implies -- a marker along a longer journey -- and it is that journey itself that is paramount. The musicians and people that I have seen you already become, and that you are yet to be: this is what fills me with pride and joy and hope, and no amount of social distancing can diminish that.
Whether or not music plays a substantial role, I know that your continuing journey will be a great one. I have cherished our work together and hope that we will have many occasions -- alumni concerts, international tours, or you just stopping by a rehearsal -- to cross paths again in the future.
I wish you all the very best --
Andrew Koehler
Presenting the KJSO Class of 2020!
Maya Morse
Maya Morse
I've been in the symphony for 4 years.
My favorite piece that we have played is Rhapsody in Blue because it’s a piece with so much energy and something fun for every instrument. I also loved The Romeo and Juliet Overture because the melodies are so beautiful and I love the storytelling aspect of the piece.
My favorite symphony memory was the 2018 trip to South Africa. I had the chance to connect with so many wonderful people and it was such a special experience.
In the fall, I will be attending the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor to pursue a future career in law. I will be studying History with a minor in Law, Justice, and Social Change.
My advice for underclassmen is to make sure you realize the opportunity you have been given. A youth orchestra of this caliber full of people passionate about music is very special. I don’t remember 98% of the pieces we’ve played in the past four years, but I am still connected with the people I’ve met along the way, and that in itself is special.
Emily Bosak
I am Emily Bosak and I have been in the KJSO for 6 years.
My favorite piece was the Star Wars Overture because we were able to manifest an extremely powerful sound while also playing various themes delicately. Also, there were storm troopers in the audience. Additionally, I loved Scheherazade by Rhimsky Korsakov; the violin solo was hauntingly beautiful and it was stuck in my head for months.
My favorite symphony memory was pranking Mr. Koehler at tune-up camp by filling up a hallway with balloons and seeing him fight through the balloons to get to rehearsal was very comical.
I want to be a nurse anesthetist so I plan on attending the WMU Bronson School of Nursing for nursing as well as studying Spanish. Although I will not be studying music, I do plan on joining the Kalamazoo Philharmonic (also conducted by Mr. Koehler) and continuing playing chamber music ensembles.
Underclassmen, find a recording of the repertoire and write down all of your observations in the music, such as “flute solo here” or “lower strings have the melody”. That way, when you’re freaking out in the middle of the concert, your sheet music is telling you exactly what you should listen for. Good luck!
Joseph Sturdy
I am Joseph Sturdy
I have been in the symphony for 3 Years
My favorite piece that we have played is Das Meerauge, Morskie Oko by Zygmunt Noskowski
I will be studying at Hillsdale College and am planning major in Political Science with a minor in music.
My advise to the underclassmen is to play music, put yourself out there! There is so much to learn by being in an ensemble like the KJSO! Being in an ensemble playing difficult work encourages you to work together and independently both.
Melissa McKenzie
My name is Melissa McKenzie and I have participated in the symphony for 2 seasons.
My favorite piece that we have played is Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez because of the piccolo solo.
My favorite symphony memory was traveling to Chicago to see the CSO perform Holst’s The Planets.
This fall I am attending the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor where I will be studying Biochemistry.
My advice for underclassmen (especially juniors) Get your college apps done asap so you can enjoy your senior year!
Chansu Lee
I have been in the symphony for 1 year.
My favorite piece was Schumann because of the classic style of music.
My favorite symphony memory was in sectionals where I got to learn my part deeper.
My future plan is going into college to study in the medical field to help those in need.
I am going to study biology as my major and thinking about computer science as a minor.
My advice for underclassmen is try to enjoy your time with hobbies such as being in part of the KJSO.
Megan Chow
My name is Megan Chow and this is my 4th year in KJSO.
My favorite piece was Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin because it was incredible watching Alpin Hong share his talent with us.
A very memorable experience is when my car got broken into and my wallet got stolen during a Sunday rehearsal. On a more serious note, my favorite memory from KJSO is traveling to South Africa and meeting the other youth orchestras.
I will be attending the University of California Berkeley in the fall with the intent to follow the pre-med track.
My hope is to major in Molecular and Cell Biology.
Words of Advice: "Don't leave your wallet in the passenger seat of your car" (On a more serious note something that I have learned over these past few years is "Don't beat yourself up over things out of your control")
Julie Powell
My name is Julie Powell
I’ve been in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra for 5 years.
Although it’s difficult to decide on just one piece, my favorite piece from my days in the orchestra was Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. I unfortunately broke my finger just two days before our concert in a volleyball accident, so I was never able to perform the masterpiece, but it’s still one of my favorite nonetheless.
My fond memories from my years in the orchestra are numerous, but a particular favorite symphony memory was auditioning for the Concerto Competition this past year with my twin sister and cellist in the orchestra, Carrie. Even though we didn’t win, in the end, it wasn’t all about winning for me; I was simply grateful for the opportunity to push myself mentally and musically, and the fact that I was able share in that fantastic experience with my twin sister is something I’ll cherish forever, thanks to the KJSO.
My future plans include finishing my studies for my associates degree at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and after that I’m unsure about which college I will be attending, but WMU is a possibility.
I am studying Political Science at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
A word of advice to my underclassmen: do avoid playing sports at all costs when you have an orchestra concert quickly approaching because you may just break your finger and be unable to perform your favorite piece; that’s no fun.
Carrie Powell
My name is Carrie Powell.
I have been a part of the KJSO for five years.
One of my favorite pieces we played is The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra by Britten. We played it during my first year in the orchestra, so it was the perfect "introduction" to what a symphony truly is and how it works.
There are many fond memories, but playing alongside Mr. Koehler in a KJSO ensemble performance is definitely special. When our first violinist was unable to play, Mr. Koehler not only stepped in, but also pushed us individually in order to achieve brilliant sound. Another favorite memory is auditioning for the KJSO concerto competition this year with my twin sister. She has been a part of this orchestra journey with me from the beginning, so playing side-by-side with her was an extremely appropriate way to end.
I plan to receive my associates through the Honors Program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, then transfer to a university after that. While I am still in the Kalamazoo area, I hope to join the Kalamazoo Philharmonia and continue private lessons.
As of now, I plan to study Communications and Music.
One word of advice I would give to underclassmen would be this: keep going. It is easy to grow tired of being in an orchestra, playing your instrument, or going to lessons. However, once you put in the effort, the excellence that will result are well worth the hours of practicing. Also, I would like to thank the KJSO and Mr. Koehler for providing me with such an extraordinary experience during my five years in the orchestra. I learned so much not only about the cello, but also about music history, symphony playing, and myself.
Alexander Lin
My name is Alexander Lin and I have been in the symphony for 3 Years.
My favorite piece that we have played is Scheherazade and Metamorphosis, the sections featured while we played those pieces were particularly strong, making it a blast to play.
My favorite memory from symphony is leaving dress rehearsal with a group of people during a piece I didn’t play and going to the record store and just vibing out.
This fall I plan to Go to DePaul University and get a bach degree, then move out to LA to get a job as a film editor.
I’m getting a BFA in Film and Television with a concentration in editing.
My advice to underclassman is to practice and work hard, but not too hard! You’ll find that practicing tirelessly the entire season sucks the fun out of making music with your friends. Find the balance between hard work and goofing off to make the experience something worth remembering.
Grace Doerr
My favorite pieces that we have played are either Danzon No. 2, Schumann 3, or Symphonic Metamorphoses. Danzon was fun to play but wasn’t very difficult, which made it more fun. Schumann was beautiful, yet still very challenging and satisfying. Symphonic Metamorphoses was chaotic and exciting, plus I got to play fourth horn which is always really fun!
My favorite symphony memory was joking around with my brass quintet, Aidyn, or Andrew Burhans (especially during Carmina Burana). As well as playing all of the epic horn moments in Symphonic Metamorphoses.
My advice would be to always do your best. Don’t beat yourself up about it, but it’s amazing the places you can go and the experiences you can have when you fully apply yourself. Also, find what makes you happy! If it doesn’t make you happy or benefit you, don’t do it. Sometimes, it’s just not worth it in the end.
Ayden Flickinger
My name is Ayden Flickinger and I have been in the symphony one year.
My favorite piece we performed was “Le Chasseur Maudit” by Cesar Franck. This was my favorite piece because it was the first thing we ever played together as a group. It was so cool hearing the strings and winds work together and I remember getting goose bumps the first time we played it from start to finish.
My favorite symphony memory was at tune-up camp during trumpet sectionals, it was nice to get to know the rest of the trumpet section in a friendly environment while practicing together.
I plan on attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College where I will study business/finance.
Words of advice for underclassmen?
Practice your music at home and be prepared for each rehearsal!
Cormac Roth
Caleb Piersma
My name is Caleb Piersma and I have played in the symphony for three years.
My favorite piece was Sorcerers Apprentice because of the wonderful bassoon parts, and Poems of the Sea because it so perfectly describes the sea.
My favorite memory is the South Africa Tour - Performing and seeing new cultures and amazing wildlife.
I plan to go to WMU and I am studying instrumental music education.
My advice would be to practice a lot, and be confident in your abilities. Also, the KJSO was way different and more difficult than any group I had been in before. It will seem like you can’t keep up at first, but as long as you work hard it all falls together.
Nicholas Frybarger
My name is Nicholas Frybarger.
I have been in the symphony for 2 years.
My favorite piece that we performed was the polvestian dances
I plan to go to trade school and learn a trade - HVAC.
To the underclassman - don't let the little things bring you down.