Sophomore concert band performer Elliot Paar talks about his family’s influence on his music, and his experiences with the band program at WEGO.

How many years have you been involved in band?

I have been involved in band here my entire freshman year and current sophomore year, and then before that, my entire middle school years except for one year.

How did you get into band?

Originally, my big brother and my dad wanted me to play piano, so I started taking lessons, and then once I got into middle school, they had a band, and since they didn’t have one in my elementary school, which would make sense why they wouldn’t – they probably don’t have funding for that – [I thought] that would be interesting. I was really into music at the time, and so I decided to join.

What instrument do you play?

I play the clarinet but have been thinking about switching to drumline.

What do you like best about band?

Playing music [and] getting to meet new people is pretty nice, especially since I am very introverted. I’m not really good at talking to people, [but] it is easy to relate to the music together.

Has band helped you be more extroverted, or are you still pretty introverted?

It’s definitely helped. I do feel I am able to talk to people I don’t know a lot better now. And I am very thankful for that.

Who has really mentored you as a performer?

My family, since both my dad and my brother and dad play instruments. My brother played an assortment of instruments; my dad plays keyboard, or piano, too, so I would say they are the main people.

What is next for you (in high school, college or beyond)?

I’m going to be continuing playing in band for all my high school years, and then sometime in senior year, I would like to take music theory, because that sounds interesting.

But I don’t plan on majoring in anything music related.