Meet SDYS student Henry Hobson (Showcase Level: Concert Winds and Concert Orchestra), who has been volunteering as a Guest Musician for ChIMES since he was seven years old.
Henry has played the piano for five years, the trombone for four years, and the bassoon for almost a year.
Henry enjoys demonstrating and playing his instrument(s) for the families in ChIMES, and also assists the Teaching Artists in leading songs and rhythm activities, passing out instruments, and actively participating in class. He is always enthusiastic, helpful, and friendly, and goes above and beyond in his contributions to the ChIMES program. Henry even volunteers for ChIMES on his days off from school and says that it is one of his favorite things to do!
Last month, the ChIMES team presented him with a special Volunteer Award certificate to thank him for all his hard work, dedication, and passion. Thank you, Henry!
Below is a Q&A with Henry:
Q: You’ve volunteered numerous times for ChIMES over the past few years. What is your favorite part of volunteering for ChIMES?
A: My favorite part is definitely getting to meet all the little kids – that’s really fun! I also like helping the teachers sing the songs and do all the fun things like bringing the toy spider around [for Itsy Bitsy Spider], and passing out instruments like the xylophone.
Q: Would you recommend being a ChIMES Guest Musician to other SDYS students?
A: Yes, for sure! It is really fun and it lets you get to know more SDYS staff than just your conductor, and lets you get to know more people in general.
Q: What would you want to tell ChIMES families about joining SDYS and learning an instrument?
A: Learning an instrument is important. It’s a lot of work, but it pays off. And if you’re going to learn an instrument, volunteer for ChIMES!
Q: How did you originally choose your instruments?
A: I started on piano as that’s what my dad wanted for me, and then my parents decided it was time to pick a new instrument, so I went online and watched a video of all these different instruments. I wanted to get the bassoon first but I wasn’t ready for that yet, and I saw the trombone and I wanted that so I chose the trombone. And then I had SDYS loan me a bassoon for this concert period.
Q: What do you like best about being in SDYS?
A: I really like getting to play with other people – that’s really fun! I like the music choices, and then my instruments are really nice because I get to play them at different places too.
Q: Tell us about your family and what you do for fun at home.
A: My mom is a dancer and my dad is a recording engineer. My brother [Ned, age 10, also in SDYS] plays the violin. My dad got me into music and my mom got me into dance. My brother and I like to play video games. My favorite game is Minecraft. I also like to surf.
Q: Do you know what you want to do for a job when you get older?
A: I want to volunteer for ChIMES still, or be like a trainee or something, during the time when I’m not training to be a doctor because that’s what I want to be – an anesthesiologist.
