Crystal Bennett, a senior in the Hamilton Southeastern wind ensemble, is wrapping up her final year as an HSE student, and saying goodbye to her friends who have played alongside her. Starting in the seventh grade, Bennett has played clarinet for six years total, growing from a young beginner to a flourishing individual with her own unique sound.

Throughout her music career, Crystal has played for many different groups in the school, including pep band, jazz band and marching band as well as pit orchestra, which is a lot to cover for one student. “The hardest part is probably just trying to find time to practice while still balancing school,” Bennett says, “You just need to find time to sit down for ten minutes and look over music,”.

Many who have been to a football game, or have even been to one of the marching band practices know that being a member requires a lot of hard work, and the directors expect a lot from each student. All the while each student is required to keep their grades above a C- average.

When she was asked to pick a favorite, she paused, almost stumped for a moment, before stating, “My favorite is marching band, because you incorporate athletics with music and you have almost a family bond with the other members, but at a deeper level,”. It is obvious by the way she, and other members, speak of marching band that there is a very deep connection between all members of the band, and sadly, each year, part of their group must leave them to go and face the rest of their future.

This transition leaves room for new members, incoming freshman and eighth graders, who will be shaped by the band and music they make just as Bennett was. Her one piece of advice to freshman is quite simply, “If you’re even the slightest bit unsure, just try it out, and if you really like it, keep going,”.

The music and community of band had such a lasting impact on her that Bennett has decided to continue marching band into college.