ELIDA — A seventh-grader from Elida Middle School took part in the 2016 Ohio State Middle School Honor Band Festival in Columbus, joining more than 350 other students from middle schools in six states.
Justin LaRue, a member of Elida’s Scarlet Band, played tuba in the show, where he performed with students representing 150 middle schools in a three-song concert.
Justin said he was initially nervous about playing with people he had never met before, but he became more at ease as the show went on.
“After the first song I wasn’t nervous,” he said. “It ended up being a pretty cool experience.”
The concert was unlike anything Justin had ever done before, he said, noting that the Mershon Auditorium where they performed was a 2,400-seat venue.
“At my school I’ve probably done two or three concerts, but I’ve never played anywhere that big before,” he said.
To perform in the concert, Justin first had to be nominated by his band director, Travis Unterbrink. He was the only seventh-grader to be selected from his school, aside from his friend who served as an alternate in case he could not attend. Abby White, an eighth-grader at Elida, also participated.
The selection came as a surprise to Justin, who started playing the tuba just last year. He credits Unterbrink for helping him improve his skills so rapidly.
“My band director helped me out a lot in getting to know the instrument,” Justin said, adding that he spent around an hour each day practicing the tuba before the concert at Ohio State.
Before picking up the tuba, Justin had played the trumpet and the baritone. He said he likes the tuba, and plans to stick with it in the future aside from marching band season when he will play the sousaphone.
Justin said he will continue playing in the band through high school, and possibly in college. Aside from music, Justin said he also enjoys playing sports and fixing things. He plans to become a mechanic when he gets older.
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