The Musicians of Alsion
Alsion students do a lot of extracurricular activities—they debate, they run, they throw balls really good. Many play instruments, but what kind? What’s their favorite piece? What do they have to say to non-musicians?
By: Duronto Pablo
What instruments do Alsion students play?
Analyzing the slightly muddy pie chart, piano players are the most common, with 9 people playing only the piano and 3 people playing the piano alongside another instrument (with a tally of 12 pianists). Guitar comes in second with 6 people playing only guitar and 1 playing guitar and piano (with a tally of 7 guitarists). There’s one full-time violinist and one violin-pianist, resulting in a tally of 2 violinists, and there’s one percussionist and one half-drummer, making for 2 drummers. Finally, there are no accordion players. A real shame.
What is a piece you play on that instrument?
Responses were quite varied here, although 2 were mentioned twice: Für Elise and Sonata No.8, both by Ludwig Van Beethoven and played on the piano.
Here’s a list of some the responses:
Piano –
- The Entertainer by Scott Joplin
- Waving Through A Window
- Hollow Knight Main Theme
- Turkish March Jazz
- Arrival of the Birds, Nuvole bianche, Ninette’s Musette
- Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata
- Any piece not in the [school]book
- Anything by Chopin, Studio Ghibli film soundtracks
Guitar –
- “When I Come Around” by Green Day
- Seven Nation Army
- With You by Echosmith
- Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
- Hotel California, Comfortably Numb, From the Start
- La Tarantella
- Taylor Swift songs, rock
Other –
- Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto in e minor. Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto. (Violin)
- Anything with a change of rhythm, something I enjoy listening to (Percussion)
- Coldplay and Green Day (Drums)
What’s your favorite piece played on that instrument (not having to be able to play it)?
There were more varied responses here as well:
Piano –
- What Child Is This by Vince Guaraldi
- Je te laisserai des mots
- Super Smash Bros Ultimate Theme
- Beethoven’s 5th symphony
- Christmas piano songs
- The Water Diviner
- Liebestraum’s Love Dream
- Mendelssohn’s Venetian boat song
Guitar –
- Beggin’ – Måneskin
- Hit The Lights by Metallica
- Claire de Lune (On guitar)
- Valmont- Clock Tower
- redbone by Childish Gambino
Other –
- Currently, it’s the Ponyo theme (original by Joe Hisashi) (Percussion)
- Tchaikovsky violin concerto in D Major (Violin)
- Bach chaconne (Violin)
Do you have anything to say to the readers of Witherly Heights?
There are some conflicting and interesting messages that the musicians want the readers to know. Here are some of the positive ones:
- “Enjoy life”.
- “If you want to play an instrument, play it for fun, not by force. Know early on if you want to spend time playing an instrument that you’re willingly playing. Don’t let anybody force you, it’s your choice.”
- “Everybody should play an instrument! It doesn’t matter which one, but it’s important to have hobbies and time to yourself.”
- “If you don’t play an instrument, I would highly recommend picking it up! It’s a fun skill to have.”
Some of the negative ones:
- “Don’t play musical instruments they will ruin your life”
- “Don’t play piano i hate it”
And an interesting one:
- “Psalm 37:12-15 the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.”
In all, there are quite a few musicians in Alsion, with varying levels of intrigue and preferred pieces, at least according to the survey. They could be anywhere, at any time, and you might even know one. As one musician quotes, in his knowledge and intellect:
- “:)”
Thumbnail image credit: Claesz, Pieter. Still-Life with Musical Instruments. Oil on canvas. 69 cm x 122 cm.