“My freshman year, I was decent as a trombonist, but I feel I’ve gotten far better leading up to this year,” Majeske said. “My taste in music has expanded too.”
This trombonist has also tapped into the guitar world. He is the proud owner of a bass guitar, a six-string guitar and five-string guitar.
“Instrumental music tends to come easier to me than I think vocal music does,” Majeske said. “Mostly because I like to think I have a pretty good ear for pitch.”
Although very open to new styles, he considers himself a very technical music guy. As such, he’s not very fond of modern music. The fanfare associated with Justin Bieber alone sends his head a ‘shaking.
“A lot of it is cookie cutterish,” Majeske said. “It’s subpar music at best. The one exception is Lady Gaga. I love her. She puts her heart and soul into it. And unlike a lot of other musicians, she is classically trained.”
Whichever artist it may be, he will gladly give credit wherever musical credit is due. And so will his director, Tim Siewert.
“Pieter is one of the first ones here for Jazz band morning practices,” Siewert said. “He sits down and starts to play without having me to ask.”
One of Majeske’s long-time “family” members is Christian Stewart. Also joining band in the fifth grade, the trumpet has always been Stewart’s instrument of choice for its majestic sound.
“I put myself in a bubble when I’m playing,” Stewart said. “It’s just me and the horn.”
Claiming the John Philip Sousa award, this NRHEG graduate is just happy knowing he’s become a better musician. With college not too far off, he is excited about diving into the musical world even further.
“I plan to major in music education,” Stewart said. “Music brings all people together, regardless of race or skin color.” Siewart adds, “Christian is a great trumpet player and he’s always leading his section. He’s always asking how he can make the group better.”
Stewart will miss all his band comrades, including senior Tony Wacholz, who shares the Louis Armstrong spotlight with Majeske. Like his fellow award recipients, fifth grade also marked the beginning of Wacholz’s music career.
“I always knew when I was little that I wanted to be a drummer,” Wacholz said. “I loved watching drum lines perform in parades.”
He picked up the music bug from his dad at an early age. He and his brothers would listen to Scorpions and Def Leppard with him all the time. But Wacholz has a respect for all kinds of music these days.
“There are so many talented musicians who have created the vast amounts of music in our world,” Wacholz said.
He too is sad that the NRHEG band chapter is closing. But since he plans to be in a college band ensemble, he doesn’t have to say goodbye to the beat just yet.
“I will miss some aspects of high school band, like marching and pep band,” Wacholz said. “I had the time of my life at all state band last winter, and it’s been fun seeing how skilled my class has become at band our senior year.”
Although the practice hours have been countless, he reaps the rewards. Every year, he has become a better trumpeter, making the experience that much more enjoyable.
“Being a percussionist, rhythm and tempo are on my mind when playing,” Wacholz said. “Apparently, I bob my head to the beat while playing. I also am very aware of balance, and focus on not overpowering the band or ensemble.”
Now that all three stand-out band members have walked their last in the beloved band hallway, they press onward. Yet, they will never forget all they have learned, all under one roof.
“Just as a family needs to communicate and have respect for each other in order to be happy, fellow musicians in a band have to do the same for a band to sound excellent,” Wacholz said.
