Senior Spotlight: Vance Kreider, trumpet
Miranda Martin Southwood
What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?
This is my first year in AYP; previously, I played for 1 year in AYCO and 2 years in AYSO.
Your advice for young musicians?
Don't be dissuaded from pursuing music opportunities just because you don't intend to enter a music-related career. The skills music teaches are valuable in nearly every field, and the experience of engaging in music now is worthwhile for its own sake.
What college/university do you plan on attending this fall?
University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering
A funny, favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?
Several years ago, AYPO held two "Brass Bashes," evening events in which brass players came for masterclasses and to read brass-heavy orchestral excerpts from AYP's repertoire. I remember playing the March to the Scaffold from the Symphonie Fantastique (which has been fun to revisit this year) and, the next year, The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition. Those evenings were highly enjoyable.
What do you hope to do after graduation?
Though I will study engineering in college, I plan to actively participate in as many musical opportunities as I'm able to. After college, I haven't decided on a specific career.
What musician, conductor, or orchestra inspires you and why?
I admire Maurice André for always making music out of the most technically difficult pieces in the trumpet's repertoire.