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Member Name: |
Meghan O’Neill |
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Year Joined Community Band: |
1998 |
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Spouse / Sig Other, Children: |
None |
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Work / Profession (if retired, former): |
Marist Alumn; looking for a job in NYC in fashion
design! |
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Personal Pursuits:
(such as: sports/recreation, volunteer work,
hobbies, crafts, family activities, special accomplishments) |
Tau Beta Sigma (president for 2 years), modeling,
sewing, drawing, biking, crew, kayaking, teaching younger kids about
careers in fashion design
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Music Background:
(such as: your start, experience, education,
mentor, inspiration, interesting or humorous personal story,
accomplishments) |
I started drumming in 4th grade and joined
community band in 8th grade. I competed in NYSMA music
festivals throughout middle school and high school and performed in the
Hochstein Wind Symphony all four years of high school. I participated in
the Eastman School of Music’s Music Horizons summer program and took
lessons from Ruth Kahn at Eastman. I was in the pit orchestra for our high
school musicals for 3 years. I almost became a music major at Eastman, but
at the last moment changed my mind and decided to pursue fashion. During
my 4 years at Marist College, I was a member of the concert band, pep
band, wind symphony, and Jazz Foxes. I also performed in the pit orchestra
for Marist’s performance of Godspell, which was great fun.
I love playing in the percussion section of community
band with my father; if it wasn’t for him, I probably would not have
started drumming in the first place. No matter where I go from here, I
will continue to play and find ensembles to perform with. Even though I
did not become a music major, drumming is part of my life and I’m not
gonna stop!
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Other Bands Play(ed) With: |
HF-L High school Wind ensemble and Jazz ensemble,
Hochstein Youth Wind Symphony, Eastman’s Music Horizons ensemble, numerous
Area All-State ensembles, Marist Concert Band, Wind ensemble, pep band,
and Jazz foxes, Albany Community Band |
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What you most enjoy, or find especially
fulfilling, about being a part of Community Band: |
First off, I love being a father-daughter team with
my Dad; we have so much fun together in the back row. Secondly, I really
enjoy the people in the ensemble; everyone is so friendly, it’s like being
a part of a large extended family (complete with annoying little siblings,
crazy uncles, and funny grandmothers). And last but not least, I just love
to play. This gives me a chance to stay in practice during my
“off-season”, and a chance to play new pieces and perform in front of
usually small, but very dedicated audiences. |
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Of the music we play, is there a type or piece
that is your favorite: |
Obviously I love pieces with good drum parts. This
summer I really enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean and Portraits of Freedom.
Pieces by Smith are always great too; Inferno and Ascension have
especially kick-ass drum parts! |
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