“Learning to
march and play
at the same
time was not
easy. I guess
I’m not that
coordinated but
I figured it out.”
“I think one of the most difficult things
about the trombone is learning to read
and play in all of the different clefs,” says
Dominic. “Depending on which group I’m
with, I may play in bass clef, treble clef or
something else. It’s a lot, but I like it.”
Physically holding the long notes can
be tough, he adds: “It seems to come into
play more often in an orchestra setting with
stringed instruments. It takes a lot of air and
lung capacity, but thankfully conductors are
aware of how worn-down our lips can get
so they’re sure to give us plenty of breaks so
we don’t get too tired.”
All of Dominic’s hard work has led him
to some exciting opportunities, including
playing this past fall in the National
Association for Music Education (NAfME)
All-National Honors Symphony Orchestra
in Nashville. He, along with students from
across the country, performed on stage at
the Grand Ole Opry.
“It was the best!” he says. “It gave me a
good view of how other people play and
motivated me to be better. It was definitely
a highlight.” But obtaining the national
seat was only because he auditioned and
achieved a spot at the district level. “I saw a
flier for the NAfME auditions. I completed
the application, sent in a video audition and
landed a seat in the orchestra.”
And, like last year, he auditioned again
to play at the district level. While there, he
found out he has again advanced to the AllState Orchestra for 2016.
In addition to the district and national
concerts, Dominic plays in the Big Mac
Marching Band, and the concert and
symphonic bands at Canon-McMillan High
School. He also plays with the River City
Youth Brass Band in Pittsburgh. However,
he did struggle with one aspect of playing
in the band at school.
“Learning to march and play at the same
time was not easy,” explained Dominic.
“I guess I’m not that coordinated, but I
figured it out.”
He continues to take private lessons from
Bob Tupper, an elementary general music
teacher in the Peters Township School
District, and credits him, along with his
other music teachers — Paul Rush, Eric
Schrader, Mark Falvo and Maggie Sisson
— with driving his future toward a career in
music education.
“I’m currently undecided about which
university I’m going to attend, but I know I
will be studying music,” said Dominic. “I’d
like to teach at the high school or college
level.” And to any future students he may
encounter, he offers this advice, “Kids
should pick an instrument that makes
them happy when they play it, because it
takes a lot of work and time to be good at
anything. But once they’ve got the basics
down and begin to excel, there are so many
opportunities waiting for them.” n
Canon-Mac | Fall 2016 | icmags.com 13