Alumni Stories
The following are stories from alumni of the bands and how their participation in the LH Band Program has helped shape their lives.
BEN PHILLIANMathematics education
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Nicole BoundsPHARMACIST
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ELIZABETH ROCKWELLMUSIC EDUCATION
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ABBEY PHILLIAN |
AMBER SHIPLEY |
KEVIN RICHARDSON |
Elementary education
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Attorney/Higher Education Administrator, Clarinet and Tenor Sax - Class of 2002
Though I have not made music a career, it has always been a huge part of my life. I was a quiet and awkward child who never quite fit in until I found a love for music. I started out on the infamous recorders in elementary school, and then learned to play the clarinet as soon as I was allowed. I participated in the band from 5th grade all the way through graduation. It was an ever-present part of my life, and I am forever grateful that I became involved. For me, music is what helped me to express my emotions and gave me a creative outlet. It also taught me discipline and time management – skills that I still utilize to this day. Those long hours that were spent perfecting a song or a field show taught me that anything worth something is never easy. I also learned to play tenor sax in junior high to fill a need, which opened even more doors for me musically. I played in the jazz ensemble, the concert band, the pep bad and the marching band through all 4 years of high school. I was also in the pit band for the Spring musicals for 3 years, and on stage for the last production in my Senior year. I was the junior drum major in my Junior year and one of the drum majors in my Senior year. This experience helped me to begin to develop my leadership skills, as well. While I did my fair share of complaining about how much work things were, or how much time it took, I am glad that I stuck it out and had some of the best experiences and made some of the best friends that I still have today.
I currently work at Bethany College as a Student Life administrator, and also maintain a part-time legal research business, as well. My husband, Paul, and I still live in Uniontown and have three beautiful little girls who have already started to express themselves with music – both instrumental and vocal. Having them in the same school district where we grew up is an exciting prospect for us. I can’t begin to express the pride that I already have in their participation in school activities and cannot wait to see how they grow as musicians through the years. |
Kevin Richardson
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