Senior Justin Hodgin plays the trumpet in the WHS Band. Hodgin also led the band this fall as the field conductor. Photo by Hannah Dillard

Most students at WHS are seen with headphones in their ears or seen conversing about their next band or choir show. Music is essential in schools because it helps students cope with reality, and relax. Different students depend on music in different ways. Students don’t have to have a musical talent for music to be essential in their lives.
For example, ninth graders Karly Talarico and Khristien McDaniel listen to music during school to help them concentrate. McDaniel listens to all music, while Talarico listens to mostly hip-hop, country, and rap. Neither of them plays instruments but they both use music to cope in the class school while they work and in their free time.
“Music helps me relax,” said senior Jose Argueta.
Argueta listens to music mostly in school and has a knack for the keyboard. He plays it in his spare time at home and learns most of his songs by ear.
Senior Justin Hodgin is also very musically talented. In fact, his classmates voted him best musician in the senior class. Hodgin plays the trumpet, baritone, piano, and guitar.
“Music helps me relieve stress,”said Hodgin.
He said the trumpet is his favorite instrument to play. He is fifth chair in band and also a field conductor. Hodgin doesn’t plan on doing anything further with music after high school.
Different students have different reasons for listening to music. Senior Skylar Phillips listens to music to put him in different moods for different situations.
“Usually when I’m with my mom I listen to R&B, and old school music,” says Phillips.
Phillips listens to specific artists like Trey Songz, and Lil’ Wayne on regular days. When Phillips is about to play basketball he listens to a lot of rap to get him more pumped up. He also has different artists for when he is in different moods. Phillips listens to Yo Gotti when he is angry and R&B when he is in a good mood.
Each student’s perspective and use of music is very different. Music can help someone’s mood, concentration, or just help out with relaxation. Some kind of music should be in every student’s life whether they listen to it, sing, or play an instrument.