Whilst focusing on a number of individualised activities, I wanted to highlight an activity that means so much to numerous students around the school — music. Campbell Loiseau, 11, is one of these students for whom music plays a large role.
Loiseau was involved in band for the last three years; prior to joining band in middle school, they have been interested in music from a young age.
“When I lived in Florida, when I was younger than five years old, I always had a love for drums. My grandfather played the drums, so I’m assuming it stems from that. Ever since then [my love for music] kind of just grew. I would go to games here at the high school, and I’d see [the drummers] and I was like ‘that’s so cool, oh my gosh,’” Loiseau explained.
Since joining band in elementary school, Loiseau has seen a difference in their relationship with music.
“[Music] is a lot of commitment because you have to practice a lot. It’s one of the constant things that you have to do. I take lessons, I do other stuff with music, and I play the piano. It is kind of nice because with the instrument I chose I’m able to teach myself things, so I taught myself piano, and it is just really calming to me,” Loiseau highlighted.
Their dedication to music not only influenced their own abilities, but also the music they listen to.
“It is kind of hard to explain because knowing music you can hear things and be like ‘oh I know what that is’ or, rhythms come more naturally. It feels like you can transpose and you transcribe a lot easier,” Loiseau said.
Despite Loiseu being intelligent in both music and academics, they feel that there is a distinct difference.
“Musically smart and academically smart are kind of different because they involve different things. Music involves memorization, sure, but you have to rely on your ears and a lot of physical skills, meaning like hand placement, depending on your instrument, grip or something like that,” Loiseau explained, “Whereas academically smart, it’s memorisation and knowing the skill. Music requires both of [those skills] and more.”
While learning to be both types of “smart,” Loiseau feels that it has influenced them positively as an individual, allowing for them to continue what they love while growing.
