Discovering And Developing My Talents
by Daniel Justice (10th)
Ever since I joined band in the fifth grade, I have been deeply involved with the arts at Whitefield. I began playing the flute, and in sixth grade, Mrs. Quiros invited me to join marching band. I loved everything about my first year in the band: the Disney themed show, the road trips to away games, and the older students whom I looked up to. I have been in marching band every year since, and I have greatly enjoyed the time spent playing at football games and developing my musical talent. Despite all the fun I have had each year in band, there was something special about that first year, and it started me on a path that has led me to many great opportunities.
This year, my tenth grade year, is my first year in the Jazz band. When I was younger, I would hear the jazz band play and dream of being a part of it. Unfortunately, the flute is not a jazz instrument, but Mrs. Quiros encouraged me to play the electric guitar. Jazz was a new genre for me, but I quickly learned to both play it and enjoy it. Playing in the jazz band has also allowed me to mature as a performer. Whereas concert band is limited to performances at Whitefield, the jazz band travels all over Atlanta to play gigs—everywhere from the Cobb Galleria Center to senior homes. It is incredible to watch so many people of different ages and backgrounds enjoy the music we are performing for them.
This year has also presented me with another unique opportunity. A few of the jazz band members were asked to be a part of the live orchestra for The Wiz, the recent Whitefield musical. It was the first time that a drama production had been performed with live music, and it was a great success. I had never before played for any sort of production, and I am extremely grateful for being able to play the flute during the show. The experience was incredible, and I hope that I am given a chance to play for the musicals in the future.
Throughout my time in band, I have grown as a musician and had a lot of fun, but none of this would
have been possible without Mrs. Quiros, our amazing band director. She does more for the arts at Whitefield than almost anyone realizes. She organizes all of the concerts, including The Bean; she teaches four classes, comprising students from the fifth to twelfth grade, and she brings both the marching band and the jazz band all over Atlanta to play. Mrs. Quiros has also done a lot for me personally. She allowed me to join the Marching Band even though sixth graders are almost never admitted. Every day in jazz band and she pushes us all to play at a higher level. Whenever I miss a note in a song, she reminds me to check my key and fix it next time. I owe almost all of my musical talent to Mrs. Quiros’s hard work in making me a better musician. She has had an enormous impact on my life, and the arts at Whitefield would not be the same without her dedication.