On this week of Artistic Expressions, staff reporter Sarayu Bongale sits down with junior Rohan Tolia (pictured far right). Tolia recalls his experiences as a trombone player as well as how he chose to play the trombone.
Rohan Tolia
Name: Rohan Tolia
Grade: 11
Instrument: trombone
Years Played: 6
Wingspan: What made you choose your instrument?
Tolia: “Honestly, there wasn’t much. I just went to one of those try-out things, and somebody told me I was really good and the instrument I chose, so I picked.”
Wingspan: What made you want to join band?
Tolia: “What made me want to choose a band was the community centered around it. I heard that band is just fun in general and the community is much more tight-knit.”
Wingspan: What is your favorite part of band?
Tolia: “My favorite part of band is the football games because of the fun atmosphere we all create.”
Wingspan: What are some challenges you face in band?
Tolia: “Band is literally just a lot of time commitment. For example, we had to go to a lot of rehearsals all the time during the first semester, which takes quite a lot of time from other activities, but the fact you get to do it with a group makes it a little bit better.”
Wingspan: Are you considering continuing your instrument beyond high school? Why?
Tolia: “I am not considering joining band beyond high school because beyond high school, the environment shifts to more serious because people are more focused on band instead of just having fun.”
Wingspan: What life lessons has band/playing your instrument taught you?
Tolia: “The art of time management.”