The foundation of the building shakes from below as Presque Isle High School’s band cranks out various and familiar tunes while preparing for Pep Band. Third year band student Erik Smith ’19, an all mallet instrument player (instruments including glockenspiel, chimes, bells, and vibraphone) expresses his interest in the upcoming game and concert band music.

“I like ‘Towards the North Star’,” Erik says. “It’s funny and difficult.”

Erik’s interest in mallet instruments began back around the sixth grade. A musical piece called “The Witch and the Saint” (an instrumental piece featuring various mallet instruments, such as the chimes and the glockenspiel) ignited a want to learn such instruments.

“I heard it and thought… that was cool.”

Playing the mallet instruments adds a wonderful tone, and blends with the rest of the band, but it is not as rewarding as it sounds. Constantly holding the mallets offers discomfort to Erik’s hands over time.

“Yeah, I get blisters all over my hands; it’s not so fun all the time,” the band member said looking down at his hands.

Erik’s love of music goes beyond playing mallet instruments at school. He plays piano as well, and explains it will become a part of his everyday life in the near and “long term” future. Instruments play a significant part in the lives of the band members.

“Piano is something I can play everyday. Sometimes people…anger me to the highest degree, and I vent through the piano.”

The band members are used to communicating non-verbally, as a group of people playing different instruments to produce one song. Pleased with being able to give verbal feedback, Erik, with a smile stands up from the table and says:

“Let’s go to game band.”