Light blue curtains outline the shapes of instruments that stand along the walls of the band room as sophomore Mariah Barnett sits alone with her cello and empty chairs surrounding her.
Easing her instrument into a well-known position, Barnett touches the strings with the soft caress of her bow and begins to play the melodies of “October” in preparation for her performance with the Kansas Intercollegiate Honor Band Friday.
Six Baker musicians, including Barnett, were chosen to attend KIB, in conjunction with the Kansas Music Educators In-Service Conference, in Wichita. The students will join a select group of other top college musicians from Kansas for the weekend-long annual event.
“It’s not as important from a Baker standpoint, but from a personal standpoint, this is a great way to improve yourself as a musician,” sophomore Matt Ingram, who will be playing the french horn, said.
Although Ingram is not a music major, he anticipates his return engagement with KIB will be just as beneficial the second time around.
“The input makes me an all-around better musician,” Ingram said. “Even though it’s not my life passion, I gained a new mentality about my music.”
The event will similarly give sophomore Kat Niehues a chance to gain insight into her instrumental abilities by interacting with fellow musicians. As a music major, Niehues views the opportunity to network as a way to connect with those who have a similar enthusiasm for music.
“I get really nervous sometimes because I don’t know everyone, but when we’re all there for the same reason, it doesn’t matter,” Niehues said.
The event allows band and orchestra members to continue performing at higher levels, as well as gain interest from prospective students who are attending the State Honor Band Festival at the same location.
"It's a little nerve-wracking because everybody there knows music and I want to represent Baker well," Barnett said. "It's not just my reputation on the line, but the school's as well."<br/>The songs chosen for the performance reflect the diverse people involved, from those on stage to those in the audience.The songs chosen for the performance reflect the diverse people involved, from those on stage to those in the audience.
The songs chosen for the performance reflect the diverse people involved, from those on stage to those in the audience.
Although it’s the talent of the students that pulls them together for the event, Barnett emphasizes the importance of passion in her music.
“I think when you’ve played for so long, it becomes a part of who you are,” Barnett said. “I’m definitely a lot cooler because I play the cello.”
