At the end of 8th grade, I had a choice to make. I had visited Jesuit High School and was considering attending. I also wanted to go to Folsom High, which was next to my house and where all my friends would go. My decision to go to Folsom High School ultimately was made based on one of the most essential things in my life: music. The Jesuit music program was fine, but not even close to the level of music education I would receive at Folsom. This ended up being a decision I would not regret, and the Folsom Music Program would take me to places I had only ever dreamed of.

Arriving at Folsom, I met Mr. Gaesser, one of the best music teachers I have ever been taught by. He showed me what excellence in music could be, and what we could achieve if only we worked hard and did our best. As a bassist, my jazz band position was set in stone before I arrived, and I knew exactly which bands I would end up in each year. Because of Sebastian’sposition as A Band Bassist in his Freshman year, I knew I would never be in A Band until my senior year. That didn’t bother me too much, though, since I had a lot of fun and a great learning experience in every band I was in. From waking up early to go to C Band during zero period, to dragging my bass and standing outside every day during covid, to going to all the festivals in C Band, to going to JEN in Orlando once I got into A Band, every single year had something new in store, and every single year gave me something to learn.

But of course, I had the best time during A Band. We finally were playing really hard music that I had to spend lots of time on, and I was finally playing with the best players in the school. I was amazed at what we were able to achieve as lowly high school students. Going to festivals across the state and across the country was a great experience, and it fueled my passion for music for years to come. I especially enjoyed going to JEN in Orlando and meeting some of the best jazz players in the world, as well as learning some very interesting lessons in the seminars.

Jazz wasn’t the only thing I did at Folsom. In addition to playing jazz all four years, I also played in the orchestra for all four years and in the Chamber Orchestra in my senior year. The orchestra taught me everything that I couldn’t learn in a jazz band. It taught me how to deal with people who don’t really want to play; it taught me how to control a crowd when I was allowed to conduct; it taught me how to deal with other people in my section since only one bassist ever plays in jazz; and it taught me the other musical styles, from classical to folk. Chamber orchestra was the most fun, since we played as a tightly-knit group, and everything we played was very personal since it was only one or two people to a part. I really enjoyed practicing with them every day and getting to know everyone really well. Overall, all four years of orchestra taught me important lessons, gave me some of my best friends, and made me the player I am today.

In August, I will be attending the school I had been hoping to attend since I was in 8th grade, UC Berkeley. While I probably won’t be studying for a music major, I plan on continuing my music career in their jazz band and chamber orchestra. I might also take some classes in music here or there, or make a combo with some friends. Whatever happens, I will continue to love and play music, and music will always be an integral part of my life, partly thanks to my education in the Folsom High music program. It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of all my teachers that I was able to foster and grow my passion for music, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

- Danny Nguyen