Page 10 - March 14 issue

10 features A PEEK INSIDE THE SPOTLIGHT | BDSPOTLIGHT.COM | MARCH 14, 2014 RUDOLPH’S WORLD man on the street BAND INSTRUCTOR, GARY RUDOLPH SHARES WHAT SPARKED HIS INTEREST IN MUSIC AS WELL AS HIS FUTURE PLANS WITH THE ENSEMBLE What is your favorite Le gallery meal? By Brittany Baker “The hot chicken wings and fries, I go all the time.” - senior Tay- staff writer lor Gill Percussions instructor and associate band director laxing, blissful vacation. Rudolph and his ensemble look Gary Rudolph is certainly no stranger when it comes to forward to their out of town trip among their other major hard work. Ever since taking on his current leadership events. position 14 years ago, Rudolph has constantly been kept “World drum line is going to the world champion- Do you think well get more on his toes throughout the week. ships, so we are all really excited about that,” he said. snow this spring? “My responsibilities include monitoring the percus- “We are also going to Hawaii this spring break which is “I would say yes knowing Indi- sionists and the things that happen over here at the high pretty easy to look forward to. We will be spending three ana weather is unpredictable.” - school,” he said. “I also teach beginner’s level percussion days in Maui and three days in Honolulu,” Rudolph said. sophomore Hannah Taylor classes at junior high schools.” “There is music involved in the trip but it is almost entire- Rudolph described his busy schedule as the percus- ly just a vacation that is fun to take. The band has taken sions instructor and associate band director. this trip thirteen to fourteen times now and it is just so What are you planning after grad- “After my last high school class, I will leave to teach a relaxing and really enjoyable.” uation? junior high around lunch time, and then, I will come back In his closing remarks, Rudolph shared the names of “I am moving to Houston Texas be- to the high school and do a whole bunch of things to help the musical inspirations that have greatly impacted his cause I’m engaged to Dwight How- get ready for our evening rehearsals,” he said. perception of music. ard.” - senior Savasia Fletcher “I am fully involved in those rehearsals and by the time “Dave Weckl is one of my inspirations because he is a we are all cleaned up and have everything put away, it is phenomenal drum set player,” Rudolph said. “Jim Camp- 10:45 or 11:00 p.m. before I get to go home.” bell is a great teacher who I have gotten the chance to Rudolph carries an extensive musical past that has work with for several years.” much contributed to his success as an associate band di- “Louie Bellson is another one of my musical inspira- If you were on the death row sen- rector and musician. tions,” Rudolph said. “He was a famous jazz musician tence what would be your last The beginning of his musical journey dates way back who passed away a few years ago. When I was in the sev- meal? his adolescent years. enth grade, I had the chance to eat dinner with him be- “It would probably be Chinese “I played percussion ever since I started in school mu- cause my dad was a band director. Having the chance to food, actually most defnitely Chi- sic,” Rudolph said. “I took private drum lessons from the really interact and be that close to him was really inspir- nese good.” - sophomore Grant time I was in the ffth grade all of the way through col- ing and changed how I played music and what I wanted Sailes lege.” to do with music.” For his higher education, Rudolph attended the Uni- *Fun Fact that not too many know about Rudolph:* What does senioritis mean to you? versity of Kentucky for his bachelor’s degree in music Not only was he heavily involved with band in high “It’s the anxious feeling you get education and completed his Master’s in Music Perfor- school, but he was also on the golf team and worked just when you’re on your way to your mance at Miami University in Ohio. as hard. own birthday party, seniors are on Prior to teaching at Ben Davis, Rudolph was a front en- their way to graduation.” - senior semble member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Sarah Welsh Throughout his journey with the Corps, he obtained fve world championship titles; three Best Percussion titles, and three Percussion Ensemble Championships. Rudolph recalled how music captivated him at an ear- ly age and why he began his journey in teaching. Do you prefer walking on a beach or hiking through the mountains? “My dad was a band director so I grew up around (mu- sic),” Rudolph said. “I had a really good idea of what it “I prefer hiking in the forest to check up on the bodies I’ve bur- was like to be a music teacher and what it was like to be ied.” - sophomore Chyna Trot- around music and high school kids. I had a pretty good ter idea going in, and I had a really good experience in col- lege as well.” Do you feel your schedule refects Rudolph stays content with his position here at the on your future job? high school. He discussed what he enjoys most about “I do feel like it refects on my fu- working with the Ben Davis band department. ture job, I am in Web design so be- “Every day is a little different and has its own unique ing in the class allows me to have set of challenges,” he said. “Finding ways to help students a real world job and gives me nifty learn the different things that we are doing is what I en- PERCUSSION Gary Rudolph helps sophomore Nick tips on being a future educator.” - joy. It never actually feels like an assembly line.” senior Kristina Ramljak The band’s hard work will soon be rewarded with a re- Fordyce practice his instrument.