For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to sing. From pop music, to songs from my favorite musicals, music was a way for me to express myself, even if I was too young to understand what I was singing. Though I had no knowledge of theory or how to create my own music, I knew from the beginning that music would be an outlet for me for the entirety of my life.
Participating in community theatre since 7 years old, I quickly grew into my understanding of the importance of music: whether happy, sad, or somewhere in between, listening or creating music gave me the perfect background music for any experience. Music’s strength was my primary supporter during the first lockdown due to COVID-19 in March of 2020 as well. Though I was unable to see my friends from choir and theatre, music served as a connection, where we could think back to good times together, and look forward to the future.
I’ve always strongly recommended others to pick up an instrument or start to sing, if they are not already involved in music. The endless benefits and possibilities available, as well as the community that welcomes all with open arms, will open the door for more freedom of expression than was previously possible. I’m still unsure as to whether or not I will be majoring in a music-related field for college. What I do know, however, is that music will always remain a part of my life. Through participating in college a cappella and regularly attending concerts to support local musicians, I plan to continue being a part of the music community, and I’ll never get over my love for music.
Nicholas Kubiak, he/him Ensemble/Voice Part: Choir/Tenor Piano (9-10 years), Guitar (3 years), Voice (3 years), Saxophone (2 years), Bass (4 months) Video
My name is Nick Kubiak, my pronouns are he/him and I’m a tenor in advanced choir! I’ve been playing piano for just about 10 years, and I’ve been singing and playing guitar since eighth grade. I first got involved with music when I got one of those Casio keyboards for Christmas when I was in first grade, and I learned to play Fur Elise through the built in song tutorial selection. I continue to play music even now because it’s one of the best ways to express myself and create something beautiful. I only recently started to play more instruments than just piano, and I’m constantly looking for cheaper used instruments to expand my collection. It can definitely be a challenge sometimes to practice multiple instruments, and I’ve had moments where my fingers acted like I was playing a piano while I was playing guitar and vice versa, but most of the time the skills are pretty separate and it’s never a challenge to switch between one and the other.
I tend to listen to most types of music, exempting songs that I think are just absolutely horrible and genres that just don’t vibe with me (mainstream country music, most popular varieties of rap). I try not to insult anyone else’s taste in music just because of what I like, but I definitely used to be a sort of elitist in that respect. I don’t think I have any big role models in music, rather I have musicians that I look up to for one reason or another (such as Freddie Mercury, Ben Thornewill, Billy Joel, and Tyler Glenn).
Sharing music is important to me specifically because it’s the way I am best able to connect with the world through an art form, and I think it’s important for other musicians to share their music for similar reasons - you may find that sharing your music with the world is your favorite part of playing. Over COVID, creating music has been a pretty important coping mechanism, and I’ve created multiple covers that I’ve posted on Soundcloud and Youtube in order to feel productive. As a musician, I aspire to be able to continue my passions for performing music and collecting instruments, because making money off of music isn’t a priority to me. For anyone starting out, my advice to them is to practice, because even if it feels like you aren’t making progress, you will soon see that you’ve made more than you realize.
I’m Bryan (he/him)! I play trombone in the advanced band and have filled in as a trombonist in the jazz band as well. I’ve been playing since 3rd grade, when I first joined my school band. I love classical, jazz, rock, and any music with the emphasis on melody. As a senior, though I don’t plan to major in music in college, I do plan to keep music as a hobby for the rest of my life because it’s so important to me. Over the years, music has been such an integral way for me to express my emotions while exposing me to a wide community of people. I think there is something special about how music can connect people over cultural barriers. It’s something that is uniquely human and enduring. For someone trying to play an instrument for the first time, I think it is just as important to play what you want and listen to music as much as you practice it. Musical inspiration is so important to actually playing music and I think some of the best parts of music come from being able to imagine exactly what you want to play and convey and then execute it perfectly.
Ellen Campbell, any pronouns Ensemble/Part: Orchestra/Chamber Strings Viola (8 years)
How did you first get involved with music? When I was about 8, I watched the Cartoon Network show ¨Adventure Time¨ often. In the shows first few seasons, one of the main characters, ¨Jake the Dog¨, would sometimes play the viola; specifically, the episode ¨The Eyes¨ is what got me interested in the instrument. One day, I asked my parents if I could play the viola, and they said yes. From there they rented an instrument, found a private teacher, Ms. Terese, who still teaches me today. I´ve stuck with it ever since.
What is your inspiration for engaging with music? How has it ever changed? My private teacher, Ms. Terese, was, and still is, my largest inspiration for engaging with music; she not only teaches me, but also introduced me to the CYSO orchestra and ISYM Program. My parents, who are both musicians, and my sisters, Ashley and Brenna, have introduced me to many genres and instruments that continue to encourage me to engage with music. 6) Why is sharing music important to you and why would you encourage others to share music too? (You can talk about your connections with culture through music or family involvement with music, etc. ) Sharing music is important to me because music is something that expresses emotions and tells stories that is impossible to do with any other form of art or communication. Sharing music gives us the opportunity to understand one another and the world more, create communities, and bring people something that can make their day better. The possibilities in music are boundless, and I think exploring them and sharing your findings will always have positive effects.
What advice would you give someone who is trying music for the first time? Personally, I find that music is something that you can’t do alone; sometimes you will need to ask others to criticize your playing, singing or composing, or ask questions about something you don’t understand. It may just be needing someone remind you to practice/compose, or needing someone to talk about your struggles, successes, and general experiences in music. I would say that throughout your entire musical journey, but especially the beginning of it, you should include people in your music. Doing so not only helps improve your own experiences with music, but also builds your relationships with others, and shows your creations to the world.
How did you first get involved with music? I was always kind of a musical person even before I started playing any instruments. I always loved tapping on things and creating rhythms, and I always loved singing along to songs on the radio even though I was horrible at it. The first time I ever actually played music, though, was in 5th grade through a rock band program offered at my elementary school. My dad bought me a guitar the year before, and the program gave me the opportunity to actually learn how to play it. Playing in the rock band made me hungry for learning more about my instrument and music in general, so for a few years I took lessons at the Old Town School of Music, and then through other things like choir and music ASM programs, I started learning more and more.
What is your inspiration for engaging with music? How has it ever changed? I think my biggest inspiration for engaging with music is the depth of the musical world and how enriching, beautiful, touching, and complex it can be. There is always more to learn about it and there are endless possibilities of sounds that can express an endless number of feelings. Even when I first started playing music the exploration of it was always exciting for me and I wanted to keep learning more and branching out and seeing what I could do with it. I don’t think that will ever stop.
Who do you listen to and why? I listen to artists from all sorts of genres, and I sometimes have phases but I will listen to almost anything that sounds good to me. I love jazz, from Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass to newer people like Julian Lage and Robert Glasper. Recently I have been getting more and more into R&B, so I have been listening to artists like Daniel Caesar and Lalah Hathaway. I also really love genres like son, rumba, and the overall salsa world. While I’m mainly studying jazz right now, I generally just love to explore and listen, and each and every artist and genre has such a unique, beautiful way of conveying emotions.
How has music has helped you during COVID? Music has definitely helped me get through the pandemic and the quarantine. When I feel really stressed or exhausted, my guitar is always there to play, and even just sitting back and listening to music is therapeutic. Whenever I feel like I don’t have the motivation to get through the day or get through school, music gives me the energy I need. Throughout the pandemic almost everything has seemed so stagnant, but practicing, playing, and exploring music has given my year so much more life than what it would’ve had otherwise.
What are your musical aspirations for the future? Music has given my life so much, and I want to use music to help others in the same way it has helped me. This is why I want to be a music therapist. I have been interested in psychology and in becoming a therapist for a long time, and to me, music seems like an amazing and undervalued tool for helping in that field. Of course, this might change, but I do know for sure that I want to keep studying music throughout my life, and even if I don’t become a music therapist, I want to use music in a way that will help others. I think that’s one of the most significant powers music has -- the ability to help others regardless of social, economic, and other boundaries.
What advice would you give someone who is starting out in music? If I had to give advice for someone who is starting out in music, I would say be disciplined, but never forget to enjoy what you are doing. Discipline is one of the most important things you can have as a musician. If you want to learn as much as you can and be the best musician you can be, you’re going to have to practice often and consistently. That’s something I still sometimes struggle with. Practicing is not what music is about, though. Music is about exploring the world of sound and expressing yourself and living through the notes and rhythms. If you lose sense of that then you’re not really experiencing music.
How did you first get involved with music? I started singing with the Chicago Children’s Choir when I was eight years old! One of the conductors came to my elementary school asking if anyone wanted to try out, and I auditioned on a whim.
Who do you listen to and why? I’m really interested in musical theatre, so I listen to a lot of show tunes! It definitely helps me to find new music to perform and audition with. When I’m not listening to musicals, I usually listen to Taylor Swift. Her lyricism is stunning, which helps me to connect with her work.
Who are your music models? Denée Benton and Kelli O'Hara-- two sopranos on Broadway with kind hearts and gorgeous voices. How has music helped you and/or your community during the COVID pandemic? Music has definitely been a creative outlet for me during the pandemic. After a long day of online school, it’s really nice to disconnect and focus on something I love doing.
What are your music aspirations for the future? I applied to both musical theatre and acting programs for college, so I might actually end up studying music at the university level next year! If I do end up choosing an acting program, I plan to continue taking voice lessons and auditioning for music-related groups on campus. Whichever way college pans out, I hope to keep music with me for the rest of my life.
What advice would you give someone who is trying music for the first time? Let yourself make mistakes! I’ve always struggled with expecting myself to be perfect, which is unrealistic. Your voice is unique to you, and that’s what makes it so beautiful.
When I was first introduced to playing an instrument, I was 4 years old and had a negative attitude towards it. I remember dreading piano lessons that I thought were super boring and unnecessary. It wasn’t until I was 12 years old when I began to take it seriously and began to make practice a daily part of my routine. Since then, I've been motivated to continue learning new concepts of piano and eventually branch out to violin freshman year.
There are a variety of artists who serve as my musical inspiration; the list ranges from Alicia Keys to Michael Jackson to BTS to Rich Brian. I enjoy listening to their music and hearing their stories as musicians has shaped my viewpoint and attitude towards playing music. I've often felt self-conscious about my playing, but hearing one of their songs or looking at their journey as musicians would always lift my spirits and remind me of what my purpose in playing music is. One particular thing that makes me amazed by their songs and performances is how passionate they are in their works. I will always undoubtedly respect anyone who shows a deep passion for what they do, and all of their dedication to music has inspired me greatly to be genuine in my playing.
To me, playing music allows me to share other people’s stories as well as my own. I feel that performing someone’s song is a form of expression, but the style that I play it in tells a lot about me. Music has played a great role in my life, and it is one of the main reasons why I feel accomplished as an individual. Playing my instruments serve as a challenger as I am still learning new techniques every day, but it also serves as a reminder that I am capable of creating musical works on my own with the right mindset and motivation.
Learning an instrument may not be in everyone’s particular interest, and I understand that, but I would love to give a push of encouragement to anyone who is deciding to start pursuing an instrument. The possibilities of tunes that you can create are quite literally endless, and it allows you to pick up new practice routines. Learning an instrument pushes you into a mindset that makes you determined to become more skillful than the previous day, which is a great mindset to have in life.
I first got involved with music in fifth grade because of my music teacher. Of course, I had already been in his music classes since kindergarten, but it was this year that we finally got to play with the “big-kid” instruments—i.e. every other instrument besides the boomwhackers. The first instrument we learned how to play was the piano. I loved the beautiful melodies that we were able to create using this instrument that I had only seen the older kids play during talent shows and professionals play on TV. Looking back now, it feels kind of childish when I remember those thoughts.
It was in sixth grade that I got to try playing the guitar for the first time. We started off with basic chords, of course, and it was an experience that I will never forget. Playing the guitar has always been a way for me to relieve my stress and anxiety. Sixth grade was probably one of the hardest years of my life, mostly because it was my first year in middle school. I think playing the guitar is what helped me stay afloat that year and the ones that came after.
I still remember the beginning of the note my music teacher left me during my last week of eighth grade: “Anyone who spends every possible recess with a guitar is automatically awesome.” That’s probably why I continue to love playing the guitar today.
It was towards the end of eighth grade that I started getting interest in other stringed instruments. Entering high school, I decided to try something new and chose orchestra as my elective. The first day of orchestra class, I fell in love with the viola. The low, deep sounds that the viola creates is so soothing and the size—for me—is just perfect. It is a unique instrument that not too many people play and I feel like it fits perfectly with my personality since it is an instrument that plays more of a supporting role—perfect for people like me who like to blend in :) Since there is a variety of pitches that the viola can play, with both high and low pitched strings, it is the perfect instrument to play all genres of music.
Music in general has always been something that I lean on whenever I am feeling down or need a quick pick-me-up. I love listening to all types of music—R&B, KPop, Rock, pop. Having a wide-range of taste in music lets me experience different emotions and explore other cultures. Music has this ability to bring people together, no matter their race, gender, religion, or culture. I think it is important that we share music with other people as much as we can. To anyone who is starting to actively listen to music for the first time, make sure you do not try to just listen to what everyone else is listening to. Listen to as many types of music as you can and I guarantee you will find something that you love. To anyone who is trying to play an instrument for the first time: do not feel like you have to be good right away. Like everything else, it might take a couple tries, it might take a dozen—do not pressure yourself to be perfect. Go at your own pace.
Jeannie Kim, she/her/hers Ensemble/Instrument: Advanced Band/Flute Flute (9 years)
Music has always been one of the most important parts of my life, and it has been a constant presence that I have relied on for years. It is the outlet for my hard work and passion, and also a way to craft precious relationships and memories. Through music, I have gathered treasured experiences: in my middle school band, in the youth orchestra outside of school that I have been a member of since eighth grade, and in the wonderful musical community here at Northside. Though I have put a lot of effort into achieving things through music, at competitions or festivals, for instance, I truly believe that sharing music is the most valuable aspect. Being able to impact an audience, no matter how big or small, is unforgettable. Through Tri-M, I have had amazing opportunities to connect with the community around Northside. I also have been volunteering at a senior center for a couple of years, and I have formed bonds with the residents through my flute performances and conversations about music that I never would have been able to create without music. During this pandemic, I have continued to share my music with this senior center, my orchestra, and my friends involved in music. Music is something that always stays alive, even when separated by a screen. Talking about music, listening to music, and playing music are things that anyone can do and can bring anyone happiness. I love to play the flute and have devoted so much of myself to it over the years, but I think that my love for music is the same as every other music lover, whether they play an instrument or not.