An Englewood High School student musician is earning statewide recognition after being selected to perform in both the All-State Jazz Band and the All-State Symphonic Band this year.
Junior Parker Scheminske, a trombone player, said their musical journey began at a young age. “I’ve wanted to play an instrument since I was super young, but I started taking lessons the summer going into sixth grade,” Scheminske said.
Originally, Scheminske was interested in playing the flute. However, after trying several instruments, he discovered a natural talent for the trombone. “At first, I was really drawn to the flute, but when we went to grab an instrument, my parents said, ‘Hey, let’s try out a few things,’ and I tried the trombone, and it just came out naturally,” he said. “I was just having a great time with it, and so I decided, hey, I’ll try the trombone.”
Scheminske said the trombone can be challenging to learn, especially compared to other brass instruments. “I would say it’s probably one of the more difficult instruments to learn,” he explained. “With the trombone, it’s kind of a whole general thing, and every trombone is just slightly different. The intonation is just a tiny little bit different, so it’s kind of hard to learn because of the difficulty in getting the correct note out.”
Scheminske credited much of his growth to the school’s band program and band director, Nathan Stokes. “I’ve had a really amazing time here,” Scheminske said. “Mr. Stokes came here in my seventh or eighth grade year, and he’s really got this program from one level, and he’s really improved this program a whole lot.”
As a fellow low brass player, Stokes has had a strong influence on his development. “He’s been an inspiration for me, and he’s helped me find regular practice routines, and he’s helped me learn how to practice,” Scheminske said.
This year, Scheminske was selected for two prestigious ensembles. “This year, I have the opportunity to perform in both the All-State Jazz Band and the All-State Symphonic Band,” Scheminske said.
The experience, Scheminske said, has been extremely rewarding. “It’s probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever felt, really,” he said. “It’s really just incredible to be among the best people in the state. My hard work has gotten me to this point.”
The All-State Jazz Band will perform during the last weekend of January, while the All-State Concert Band performance is scheduled for the end of April.
Scheminske encouraged others to explore music, even if they are unsure where to start. “I would say, do it,” he said. “If you’ve been looking to try an instrument, just get out there. Pick something that you think you might like, and take a risk. It’s probably one of the most fun experiences you’ll ever have.”
