Skyview High School - Orchestra

“Being able to make new friends and play with new people is by far a treat. I enjoy playing in groups that have students from other schools, and being stand partners with students i have never met before! Looking into the future, I am unsure if i would like to play music as a career, however, I do not want to quit viola completely.”

Senior High School - Orchestra

"Music has helped shape me into the person I am today. It has taught me how to listen to others, how to cooperate, and how to both guide and be guided by my peers. Learning music as a child has also heavily influenced my math abilities. Without music, I believe I woul not have had the opportunities to excel n math as much. And most importantly, music has taught me how to appreciate things in life. I know I am extremely fortunate to have experienced a childhood full of music and learning the violin. I have learned that it’s important o give back to the people and communities that hav helped get you to the place you stand currently. Always be grateful for the things you have, and the people that have aided you in getting them.”

Skyview High School - Choir

“I love dance and music and will continue to dance after high school professionally. I truly feel I would not have come this far in my dance career without my music knowledge. Whenever anyone asks for the counts for the dance I always know because of my music background. It is a safe haven at a stressful school. Even if choir gets loud or crazy I know those people will have my back and it is truly such a supportive environment. I met my best friend through choir and some of my closest friends through it too.”

Lockwood High School - Choir & Art

“Music has impacted my life by helping me live up to my full potential as a person. It also helps me to deal with my stress if I have an anxiety.”

Senior High School - Band

“Music and art has influenced my entire childhood, from the very beginnings of MusikGarten to the final performances of my high school career. Being able to share my love of performing and having a community that supports it has really helped me to grow into who I am and why I love music. Although I don’t plan on going into a music degree, I always want to continue to play in college and beyond, not only for my own personal enjoyment but to inspire others and stay well rounded.”

Skyview High School - Band

“Music has always been a part of my life, since I started in 5th grade. Music has served as my freedom within my school day. It also serves as my escape, one hour that improves my day every time because Its language that only a couple people understands. I intend on playing for the rest of my life because there is always ways to improve. I want to continue right away after high school and play with Montana State Marching Band.”

Senior High School Orchestra

“Music has been everything to me as long as I can remember. It is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me and I fully intend to pursue it in the rest of my life.”

Central High School - Orchestra

“Music has always been an important part of my life. It is my safe haven, a place where I can truly be myself and express myself in a beautiful way. I wish to attend college and eventually study medicine, however, I will always have my violin with me, wherever I end up.”

Skyview High School - Band

“The arts, or music, shapes my life on a daily basis! It's one of my hobbies that I'm very passionate about and hope to incorporate in my life beyond high school. Music has also been where I've met some of the most important people in my life and I hope to convince others to get involved with it too.”

West High School - Orchestra

“Music has become my outlet to process the world around me, and has helped me find confidence both within and outside orchestra. I have been given many wonderful opportunities and formed connections with others throughout my time in orchestra, and I hope that by continuing bass in college and beyond I can help the beauty and community of music to reach more people.”

Senior High School - Choir

“Music has always been a big part of my life. I have grown up in a very musical church and have been taking music classes for as long as I can remember. Music is a place that I can go when I have no where else to turn. It helps me feel comfort when I need it. In the future I plan to always continue singing and loving music and the comfort it brings me.”

Skyview High School - Choir

“Music is something that is a part of my everyday life, and it has become a great outlet for me. I use music to relieve stress and to lift me up. Music in my life can be something as simple as singing in the shower, to performing a musical on the stage. Music is something that I thoroughly enjoy being a part of and I want to continue to be engaged in some form of music. Other benefits I've experienced because of my participation in music is the many different friends and relationships I've made, and I definitely plan to keep music as part of my life.”

Senior High School - Visual Art

“Art has inspired me every single day of my life and I have no doubt that it will continue to for the rest of it. Being creative and seeing the beauty in everyday things has opened lots of doors for me both in my art, and in my everyday life. I don't know what exactly I'm going to do with my life, but I hope whatever it is, that art is a big part of it.“

Central High School - Choir

“Music has been impacted my life forever. Choir has given me a place to belong and be excepted. I have been able to create valuable connections with my director and classmates. I intend to continue singing in college and around my community. Music has given me the opportunity to be myself and impact other people.”

Senior High School - Band

“I feel that music has always played a role in my life and whether that was good or bad it was still there. I can’t even tell you how many times I have told myself this is my last year, but here I am in my senior year still playing. I don’t really know why I stay but there’s just something about music that makes me stay. Music will continue to be part of my life in the next couple years as I plan to join the Spirit of the West marching band at MSU.”

Central High School - Visual Art

“Art has impacted my life very greatly because it is an outlet for my emotions and it’s a coping mechanism for my stress. In my future, I hope to continue to use it to express myself and to inspire others to do the same.”

West High School - Orchestra

“I was raised in a household with music and entertainment constantly playing in the background. My parents encouraged me to chase my passions and through their unwavering support I have found myself through music, dance, and performance. I hope to always push myself as an artist and constantly expand my methods of self- expression. For my Platinum project, I am branching out into songwriting, and releasing my own music. In the future, I plan to study Theater and continue solo studies on the viola. I will never stop singing, writing, and creating as it will always be central to who I am. “

Senior High School - Band

“Music has been an integral part of my whole life, from the moment I started playing when I was 3 all the way to now. It gives me an opportunity to unwind and let go of other ongoing things in my life, and enjoy myself for a moment. I plan on studying saxophone and bassoon in college, so it will, without a doubt, be an important thing to me forever.”

Skyview High School - Choir

“During my middle school years I found a love for music but specifically choir. I started to join as many extracurricular groups as possible. I found that choir was a safe space for me to express myself. Throughout high school my love for choir grew each year. I now plan to attend MSU Billings for a music education degree. I hope to one day teach choir in a middle or high school.”

Billings Central High School - Choir

“Music has played a huge role in my life. I find myself singing constantly, especially when I’m stressed or upset. It is an outlet for me. Being a part of so many musical groups had made my life so much less stressful and so much more enjoyable. I genuinely don’t know where I would be without my involvement. My plans for the future include continuing to be in choirs, potentially releasing more of my own music, and playing instruments whenever i have the time.”

Senior High School - Choir

“Music and art have easily been some of the most impactful areas of my life. I have always been an incredibly busy person, but I will always find the time to involve myself in one extra choir or musical or pick up some random instrument. Music and the arts have given me a place where I can truly feel like myself and be welcomed no matter what may be going on outside. Once I walk into the theater or the choir room, I can completely let go of anything that may have been happening else where and focus on what truly bring me joy. With this love and passion for music and the arts, I am planning on continuing to pursue music and the arts in the future by obtaining some kind of music degree that will lead into either music education or music therapy. No matter where life takes me, I am hoping that this passion follows me into whatever adventure may come next.”

West High School - Band

“Practicing is fine and all, but I really enjoy performing. I feel the tradition of music must be continued to be shared in every possible opportunity. There are many different ways that people share this tradition, but I think being able to stream music has devalued listening to live performances with music that has diverse styles and purposes. When you listen to live music, you are able to appreciate it more, and give it the full attention it deserves. I definitely think there is a place for background music or listening to your favorite song over and over again, but the importance of maintaining the tradition of live, concert style music is what motivates me to practice and grow my abilities, even though I will not be pursuing it as a career. I hope to always continue to play saxophone, even if I am not paid for it. Playing has changed who I am and I do not want to lose this very important aspect of my life, and belief I hold.”

Shepherd High School - Band

“So far, music has brought cheerfulness into my life whether it's listening to it or playing it. I hope to continue playing my trumpet for others after high school even if I'm not a part of a large band anymore.”

Skyview High School - Band/Choir

“Music is a huge part of my life. It’s my hobby, my job, my therapy, and most importantly the way I serve others and hear from God. My future plans are to always keep music apart of my life, whether I go to college for music or not!”

Skyview High School - Choir

“Music is a huge part of my life. It brings me so much joy! The community involved is so welcoming and I can always look forward to any event involving my fellow music peers. I have grown up with my Dad leading music in church and I have joined the worship teams as well. In doing so, it helped me find my love for music.”

Senior High School - Band

“Music has been the biggest impact on my life. The opportunities I’ve had and participated in like All-State Jazz are once in a lifetime possibilities that have let me meet amazing people and learn amazing skills I would have never learned. I hope to use everything I’ve learned to pursue an electrical engineering degree and work in the music industries designing amps, keyboards, and/or guitar pedals.”

Billings Centra High School - Art

“Art has been such an influence on me and has honestly shaped me into who I am today. Its a huge outlet for my emotions, allowing to express complicated feelings beyond what words can describe. I've met so many amazing people through the arts and have received so many incredible opportunities as well. I hope to continue my passion throughout college by joining communities set around the arts, meeting new like-minded people, continuing to learn and improve my own skills along the way as well.”

Laurel High School - Band

“Music has completely opened a new perspective of life for me. I new I wanted to play the saxophone when I was in third grade and the LHS jazz band did Christmas caroling at my school. When I got to sixth grade and had to choose the instrument I wanted to play, I knew it would be the saxophone. When I got to high school, my band teacher challenged me more and I switched to the Bari Saxophone for our symphonic band and eventually the electric bass for our jazz band. Being involved in the bands at my school has opened up so many different opportunities for me and has brought so many people into my life. I have met my best friends, learned so many new things, traveled all over Montana and made some of the greatest memories. I plan to continue music through college while I earn my degree in political science and I plan to either join a community band or continue to support Laurel High School's band.”

Senior High School - Choir

“Music has completely changed my life for the better. Every single day I have lived would not have been complete without music in some way. Whether it be singing with my choir, playing on the piano, or just listening to my car, music makes every day more fulfilling. My future I intend to be completely defined by music as I aspire to be a music educator. I hope I can help students the way I have been helped by my music teachers.”

Laurel High School - Band & Choir

“I have loved every second of my musical journey and I'm so glad for the resources and opportunities that I have received. Music has given me a purpose in life, and I am so thankful that I can be confident in what I want to pursue in my future, even throughout the negative comments about musicians. I cannot go a second without giving Glory to God, because He has guided me throughout high school and I believe that He will keep me leading into the next stages of my life. Ultimately, I plan to play the drums professionally on a worship team, write music that will impact others, and spread the gospel.”

West High School - Band

“The practice and performance of music has been central to who I have become today. It is undoubtedly my foremost extracurricular and it never fails to bring me joy, whether it comes from my own playing or simply enjoying the creations of various inspirational musicians. I think that the development of confidence and technique while performing music can be directly translated to so many other areas of life, which is why it remains my #1 pastime. I hope to bring as much of my musical equipment with me to college as I can and will certainly track down any available opportunities to continue playing. While I don't plan to major in music, I could not stand to see my saxophones collecting dust in their cases. Whatever the future holds, I guarantee I will keep my musical skills in a state of constant improvement and will maintain an eagerness to continue participating in this activity that has become such an integral part of my life.”

Lockwood High School - Choir

“Music has always been embedded in my life. I still remember when I was really little listening to my favorite Neil Diamond song “Skybird”. My Dad would fix old and broken speakers and set them to full blast while listening to our favorite songs. Skybird’s lyrics include three phrases that have stuck with me to this day (before I even knew about the true beauty of singing and songwriting). “Skybird make your soul” “Skybird find your tune” and “Nightbird find your way”. When I stumbled upon singing lessons my life changed so much. I found a voice within myself that I had never known. Within singing I found my wings to soar above the sky with each note and emotion I discovered. Music changed from in my life to a part of me and in my soul. I found the tune my heart was wanting to sing. The melodies I simply couldn’t find the words to express. I found and continue finding my way through the hard times with help from the songs I sing. I thank all the people who have helped make my life sound like a beautiful (and crazy) song. I want to continue my life with singing, acting, or even just following the rhythm of life and see where it takes me. Right now I plan on attending college to minor in musical theater and possibly major somewhere in the medical field. In both of these fields, I will be able to help people find their wings, souls, songs, and help them through the darkness. Just like a Skybird.”