Bennett Harper

Bassoon, piano
Keyboard, You Got the Message (local rock band)

Hi, my name is Bennett Harper, and I’m a junior at Memorial High School. I’ve played bassoon in the band program throughout middle school and high school. I’ve also played piano for 8 years and I play keyboard in a rock band called “You Got the Message” with 4 other students from Memorial and West high schools. The band program has been one of the biggest highlights from my time at Memorial. Mr. Jaeger is easily one of the most passionate and hardworking teachers I’ve ever met. He does an incredible job of fostering a welcoming and inclusive community centered around the common love and dedication to music.

Through this community, I’ve made powerful connections with my peers that go far beyond the bounds of high school band. Through this community, I’ve felt the freedom of advancing my skills in whatever way I want. Simply spending time in the band room has inspired me to pick up different instruments, and broaden my musical knowledge and ability in ways I never thought possible.

What I want for the band program is for it to be able to reach as many young musicians as possible. Currently I feel that our ability to impact people is limited by our resources. The students currently in our band program and many other potential students would benefit greatly from a more spacious band room, more practice and storage areas, and a wider variety of technology and resources. I think it would be an absolute shame if any young artist was unable to realize their potential and reach new heights, simply because of the lack of resources. We owe it to all the future young musicians that will come through Memorial to provide a space that allows anybody who wants to explore music to fully be able to do so.