Charlotte Bol, senior, has been a member of “band life” for eight years, making it the part of her school day she most looks forward to. At first, TUSD forced Charlotte into the music department because, in fifth grade, everyone was required to choose between band or orchestra. She chose band and the clarinet. A natural performer, Charlotte loves fashion, mostly thrifting her clothes and wearing cute outfits every day. While she enjoys playing her instrument, her next creative outlet is fashion, and she aspires to be a fashion designer,
As an incoming freshman, COVID hit, and it was really hard for Charlotte to hold on to her love for music when everyone had to quarantine, and because she didn’t have many other extracurriculars, she felt as if the band had become boring when just staring at a screen. After she came back to school she attended a band event and, “fell in love with the music” all over again. Charlotte picked the clarinet back up and still does, saying, “Clarinet is a part of my identity. I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
Jack Schmidgall, Shauaro’s band teacher, is also Charlotte’s favorite teacher. In her eyes, Mr. Schmidgall is the best band teacher she has ever had; she said, “He’ll probably be my favorite teacher forever, even after I graduate.” Charlotte loves working with Mr. Schmidgall because he’s very understanding and believes in all his students. When he was asked what he thought her best quality was, he said that she was a very kind, hardworking, and reliable person. She always steps up, like she did last year when she volunteered as a guide for a middle school competition at the last minute.
Charlotte preached that Mr. Schmidgall had changed everything for her in the best way. He always makes his best efforts to make the band room a special and safe place for all. Throughout Charlotte’s four years in band, she has grown to worship the band family. “The best part about band is looking around after you play and everyone knowing you did amazing. It is an amazing community.”
