MULTI-TALENTED MUSICIANS

Let’s meet four of our musicians who are involved not only in the Instrumental Music Program but also in other aspects of MD life on campus.

HAILEY MOUAT ‘24 (Orchestra, Strings Ensemble, Mass Ensemble)

COLIN HINZ ‘23 (Drum Major, Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Honors Wind Ensemble)

BRENDAN MULHOLLAND ‘24 (Jazz Band, Marching Band, Honors Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, Saxophone Ensemble)

PETER LE ‘23 (Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra)

Why did you join the Instrumental Music Program?

Hailey: I joined Orchestra because I wanted to become better at playing the violin and meet new people. One of the reasons I continue is because of the amazing people I have met and have become friends with!

Brendan: I joined Band because I thought the saxophone was a cool instrument and I happened to be physically large enough to play it in 4th grade when I got interested.

Peter: The sole reason I joined Band was to enjoy and play music with others around me. I continue to do so because it feels great to be able to communicate with someone during performance and express myself through music.

Colin: I was inspired to join the Mater Dei band ever since I picked up the trombone in 7th grade. Because of this inspiration, I have continued my passion in music.

Do you recommend students who are involved in other activities at Mater Dei join Instrumental

Music?

Brendan: I absolutely recommend [joining]. It is one of the most neutral groups on campus and as such pretty much anyone can fit in. I have friends who are in Robotics, Academic Decathlon and on the track team all through band; it’s incredibly uniting as a group.

Collin: I strongly encourage others to participate in the Instrumental Music program because we are all a family to each other. Band has been my second family ever since I was a freshman.

Hailey: I highly recommend joining because there are so many different aspects of the program and there is something for everyone!

Peter: I highly recommend anyone interested in music to try out Band, even if they’re not sure. Being able to grow and develop your skills is a very fulfilling aspect of music, especially when you have someone else there in the same shoes doing it with you.

What do you do at MD outside of Instrumental Music?

Peter: I participate in the Robotics Team as well as the Academic Decathlon Team.

Hailey: I am on the Mock Trial Team, a head commissioner for the Campus Ministry commission, a student advisor in the MUN Club and a Monarch Connection leader.

Brendan: I am involved in Choir and Theatre.

Collin: I sing in Choir and the Men’s Barbershop ensemble and am a Campus Ministry commissioner.

What’s a fun memory or experience you have from your time in Instrumental Music?

Collin: When Mr. Martinez danced to the Jazz Band during our performance!

Hailey: Watching TwoSet Violin videos in class!

Brendan: My favorite moments are always performances. I love the intense nervous feeling leading up to it; not a bad kind, but one that makes you realize you are about to perform. Also, people tend to hang out after a performance and we’re all tired so it’s fun.

Peter: Something that I will never forget is last year’s Spring Concert, especially the finale. Everyone played so great and so well together. It was very clear that everyone worked hard to reach that point, and that everyone enjoyed playing the repertoire.

Do you want to continue Instrumental Music and other activities you are involved in at Mater Dei after you graduate?

Collin: I plan to participate in Marching Band after graduating Mater Dei. The other activities would depend on my schedule.

Peter: After graduation, I intend to keep nurturing my love for music by auditioning for Marching Band wherever I end up if possible, in addition to developing my interests in robotics through available programs.

Hailey: In college, I want to continue to play the violin in my school’s orchestra.

Brendan: My current plan for after high school is to be a performance major in jazz saxophone and obviously continue that into a career. Being a jazz musician has its tangents into singing, but I don’t see myself acting after high school.

Share with us a fun fact about yourself.

Hailey: I am left-handed!

Brendan: I have a pet bird named Pippin who I got in 7th grade. He’s named after Peregrine Took from Lord of the Rings, which is my favorite book series.

Collin: I am an Eagle Scout!

Peter: Something people might not immediately know about me is that I play Brawl Stars. Anyone who is interested in joining our club can feel free to do so.