Chris Xiao

Grade: 11
Future College: Have not thought about it
Future Job: Forensic science
Years in Marching Band: 3
Inspiration: Sid Sadhu

Wingspan: How has the first couple of weeks back at school been?

Xiao: “At first I had trouble balancing between my classes and band, but over time with more experience I got used to it and I feel as though I actually improved on that.”

Wingspan: What is your favorite thing about being the trumpet section leader?

Xiao: “I got to experience what it’s like being a leader because I took in some morals that the band directors wanted us to take in like accountability, integrity, character, dedication, attitude, and professionalism.”

Wingspan: What are your personal goals for this year?

Xiao: “My goals for myself is to have more experience and backbone so I can further improve my leadership skills.”

Wingspan: What are your goals for the trumpet section this year?

Xiao: “My goal for the section is to be better than the last two years because I feel as though from my freshmen and sophomore year we were a bit lazy and slacking off which is something that was my goal for this year to improve on that and to make us better than last year. We weren’t that assertive and that caused us to go downstream instead of upstream.”

Wingspan: Of the three marching shows you have been a part of which has been your favorite?

Xiao: “My favorite is this year because of what the band directors have in plan for us and I feel like this year I got to know everyone better as a section, and we were closer than we were before and I feel like there is so many ares in which we can improve upon which is something to think about this year.”

Wingspan: Do you intend on continuing in music once you graduate high school, or possibly into a career?

Xiao: “I wouldn’t say that I would do music as a career because it’s hard for musicians to make a living out of it. But I want to do it as a hobby because I am so passionate about playing trumpet and it’s one of the things that motivates to improve and get better.”

Wingspan: What inspired you to become the section leader?

Xiao “To be honest it wasn’t my section leader for my freshman and sophomore year it was a person named Sid Sadhu. I really took a lot of things for him when he was teaching me how to play jazz and improvise. He actually put the time and effort into teaching me the things that would help me so much hat inspired me to do the same for the future of the band.”

Wingspan: How do you manage your band, school, and personal life during the marching season?

Xiao “I don’t really manage it I just go with what’s going on.”

Wingspan: What is your favorite thing about band?

Xiao: “My favorite thing about being is band is not only do I get to play my instrument that I am so passionate about I get to make new experiences everyday and socialize with my friends because these friends stick with you forever.”

Wingspan: What do you hope to gain from the experience of being a section leader?

Xiao “There is so much for me to gain like, I noticed this year that I was assertive and more outgoing I wasn’t shy anymore because I used to have anxiety but taking on this leadership role changed and I became more outspoken and improved as a whole.”