Page 12 - Info Magazine nr 14 december 2020

An Interview with a Class Band Student!

Name: Gaia Beijlsmit (age 12 years)
School: Rodenborch College Rosmalen, NL 1st year of YCB
Instrument: Clarinet

Did you try out all the instruments and why did you choose this one?
Gaia: I have tried out all instruments, such as bass guitar and flute, clarinet, alto- and tenor sax,
trombone, euphonium and trumpet. The clarinet went well, I got a sound right away and it soun-
ded pretty good. The girl, who already played the clarinet, and helped me try it gave me a very
big compliment. That’s why I thought this is what I wanted to learn.

What kind of experience do you have with making music? Think about primary school and
at home / with family.
Gaia: I have been singing for about two or three years. In primary school. With other children
and it was called the pop choir. We sang pop songs. It sounded a bit like cat whining to me but
the teacher was quite satisfied. My mother used to play the recorder. My grandfather plays the
trombone. My grandmother plays the saxophone. Other people are not allowed to play on my
clarinet, that is strictly forbidden!

How did you become involved with Class Band?
Gaia: My dad and his wife said there was a Yamaha Class Band in the school where you would
learn how to play a wind instrument instead of normal music lessons. At first I wasn’t really en-
thusiastic but then I did try it and I actually liked it quite a lot. A lot of fun! My grandfather said
that Marion, the teacher, is doing very well and he gave her compliments. Grandpa also thought
I was doing very well, this being the beginning. And that I learned very well my own mistakes, for
example of wrong fingering. I can already play more than 5 tones.

What do you do with your instrument at home?
Gaia: I play upstairs in my room every day. Next week I get graded and I have chosen a Sinter-
klaas song to play. Sometimes I study with my laptop. I choose the piano accompaniment of
Essential Elements Interactive. Marion also plays the piano and I like it that it is the same then.
(Gaia has the clarinet nearby and after she has put the clarinet together she plays a Sinterklaas
song. She has a really beautiful tone!)

Do you ever play outside of class? Do you play with other people? If so, who and why?
Gaia: no, not really. I can play together with a friend, but that hasn’t happened yet. I would like
to. Of course I can also play together with grandpa. (Marion has suitable music and makes sure
Gaia gets it and then she can play together with grandpa).

Do you ever listen to music yourself? Which music?
Gaia: I listen to music a lot lately. Pop music of today. Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Dutch music,
secretly a little Christmas songs. Miss Montreal with Wind and Rain, Suzanne and Freek.