Music has been a part of Hughson’s school environment for as long as anyone can remember. But who are the people putting in the effort to bring music to our school? In today’s article, dedicated to all things music, we will be interviewing sixteen-year-old John McKee and the people who have helped him down his musical path here at Hughson High School.

Formerly living in Modesto, John McKee moved to Hughson when he was 7. He lives with his mom and dad, as well as his two siblings, David McKee and Piper McKee. At first, he wasn’t too sure what to do at school, usually spending his free time with friends and playing video games. That all changed when he decided to join band in seventh grade.

John has played the same instrument since he first joined. When asked what instrument he plays, he said, “I play the trumpet.” Curious about why he chose the trumpet, I asked what made him decide to join the band. John replied, “All my friends were joining and my Memaw told me that I would be good on trumpet, so I played trumpet.”

Now I understood both what he plays and what motivated him to join, but I wanted to know more: What’s the point of playing an instrument at all? John explained, “Well, that’s the thing, about playing trumpet, I guess it’s just something fun to do. Like, learning something new, which is fun.”

Playing an instrument has been a great pastime for John. When asked if he gained any new skills after joining band, he said that his rhythm and pattern recognition have improved. But beyond learning, what fun activities has John participated in since joining band? Luckily, he had plenty to share. “There’s a lot. I have done the CMJ Jazz Festival. Well, a lot of jazz festivals. I was also in honors band in eighth grade. I’ve gone to Disneyland as well, which was fun.”

We now have more insight into the life of a band student—what John has learned, why he enjoys playing, and the opportunities he has had. But how does being a band student affect the people around him?

To find out, I interviewed John’s father, 45-year-old David McKee. He shared that he is proud to have a son who has dedicated his time to band. When asked what he has contributed as a parent of a band student, David explained that he has had to buy outfits to make John look “nice and spiffy” for performances. He has also had to adjust his work schedule to attend concerts.

From his perspective, band has helped John grow personally. David noticed that his son gained confidence through music. Before ending the interview, he shared one last piece of advice for John: “Keep at it, make your own music.”

After hearing from John and his father, I wanted a teacher’s perspective. So I interviewed Kayte Maki, the band teacher at Hughson High School. Maki has been teaching here since 2011, and when asked how long she has worked with John, she said, “I have worked with John McKee at Ross Middle School during the 2022-2023 school year, and also here at HHS for the past two years.”

Over three years, she has seen John grow both musically and personally. Maki said, “John has always held himself to very high standards. Over the years, he has developed exceptional trumpet skills and improved as a musician.” She described him as a strong player and a hard worker who strives for excellence through practice.

I also asked Maki how music has influenced her own life. Her response was powerful: “I have learned about learning itself through regular practice, many mistakes, and perseverance. Through music, I have met some of my favorite people—including my husband! Music has taken me to far-off places including Europe, Hawaii, and China! Being involved in music has helped to broaden my perspective on the world.”

Whether you’re like John, who sees band as a fun hobby, or like Maki, who has made lifelong connections and traveled the world thanks to music, one thing is clear: music has a huge impact on the lives of students and teachers here in Hughson.

To those who have played in band—how has it changed your life? To those who are thinking of joining—what are your goals? And most importantly, what is your story?