“There is not much I find more gratifying than to see a former student succeed, especially when the sacrifice and commitment are so great and ongoing. Congratulations, Garrett Lindholm, on winning the trumpet audition for the Lansing Symphony Orchestra!”
Garrett holds a B.M. from Southern Methodist University and currently attends The Cleveland Institute of Music pursuing a M.M. Garret went to Berkner High School and was a founding member of LSYW for two years.
We asked Garrett to reminisce his time with Lone Star Youth Winds and here is what he had to say:
Who are some of your favorite teachers, composers, etc.?
The most influential teachers in my LSYW days were Frank Troyka, Lynne Jackson and the rest of the Berkner Band staff, as well as Dr. Kent and my private instructor Tom Booth. My favorite composers are Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Mahler.
How did experience in Youth Winds help you as a high school student?
I found that the LSYW made me a better band member at my High School and vice versa. The concert experiences were especially beneficial because we played great pieces at great venues, all on less rehearsal time than we got back at our home programs. That experience was a great way to bridge the gap between being a high school student and a Music-Major in College.
Why should students join Youth Winds?
The LSYW exposed me to more of the standard literature while offering an opportunity to learn from excellent conductors and collaborate with driven young musicians from all around the Metroplex. If you like performing in your high school band and want to do more of that with other students like you, this is a great opportunity.
Do you have any words of advice for anyone considering becoming a professional musician?
They say “don’t work harder, work smarter,” but really you need to work hard… smartly. If I could go back to high school, the biggest thing I would change would be to have a plan for every practice session and a reason for every playing choice I made. If you subscribe to the “it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert” rule (which I do), I would add that it takes 10,000 (thoughtful) hours… and you better get started now.
What are your fondest / most impactful memories of your time with Youth Winds?
I enjoyed performing in the Eisemann center for the first time. It is a beautiful venue and it was a chance to “pretend” to be a pro. It was a new kind of excitement to perform, not for a contest or to impress judges, but just to put on a good concert.
From the Lone Star family we want to congratulate Garrett for pursuing music and we are thankful to be apart of his career!
Learn more about Lone Star Youth Winds: https://lswo.com/youth-winds/
Learn more about Lone Star Wind Orchestra: https://lswo.com