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Aiden Gregory said his favorite thing about being in band “has definitely been learning an instrument and growing as a musician.�

“It feels more like family than just an extracurricular activity,� he said. “I’ll miss most the camaraderie and being with people I like and making music together. I plan on going to college for music business at MTSU and do marching and concert band there as well. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that practice makes perfect and working hard pays off in the end.�

Kallie Jackson also shared her experience and future plans.

“My favorite thing about being in band has been the friendships I’ve made,� said Jackson. “This band is full of people that help you through your entire time in band. Whether it’s music or something going on in your life, there is always someone you can turn to. It’s really like being in another family. I think I will miss most the ones I call my children. Those are the younger people in band. I have always tried to help them with music or whatever they need. Now I have to leave, and they have to be all by themselves now. I will miss them a lot. I plan on becoming a massage therapist, and if I can raise enough money, I plan on starting my own business, but that’s on down the road in the future. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from band is to trust your instincts. Even when you think they’re wrong, just trust them. Your instincts will get you through a lot of things. Never second guess yourself.�

Caden Kaiser said his favorite thing about being in band has been “being able to hit things pretty dang hard.�

“I’m a percussionist, so that has been cool to me. The competitions were always so much fun,� he said. “I am competitive to a point so winning was always fun. Honestly, I’m not a people person, but I will miss the people in band. After graduation, I plan on going to culinary school. After that I’d like to work on different cruise ships. The biggest thing I will take with me from being in band is just be a good person. Being in school, you always meet some people that aren’t very fun to be around, but in band we learn to be good people, and that is what I will do in life.�

Reese Runyon said “making friends and fitting in with people that like the same things� is what stands out for her.

“I think I will miss my friends the most. I want to go to college and become a graphic designer after I graduate,� Runyon said. “The biggest thing I will carry with me in life from being in band is how to channel confidence when you need it most and also be humble when necessary.�

MCHS band director Joey Wilburn said, “The thing I dislike most about losing graduates is that I will miss that bond that we create over the years. I’m happy to see them move on and do great things, but it’s sad too, because I’m never ready to see them go. I wish success for each of them in whatever they choose in life. I hope they are happy and always give it their very best in life. I love all things about band. I always loved playing my instruments when I was in band.�