While some kids played video games during the COVID-19 shutdown, Ryan Park did something else. He got good at trumpet.
Of course, he was already on his way with two musicians for siblings. His older brother Alex and older sister Chloe play trumpet and trombone, respectively. Ryan’s parents gave him a trumpet the summer before he started fourth grade, but the pandemic sealed the deal.
“We would sometimes play brass trios,” he said. “I honestly think playing with my siblings during the pandemic, when there was no possibility of playing with other people, really helped me set a standard for what I want to do as a musician.”
Upon returning to in-person learning, Ryan joined the Belmont High School (BHS) jazz band and wind ensemble, becoming the principal trumpet player. He also performs in the Beantown Swing Orchestra, which is a group of high school and college students who play in various venues statewide.
“One of the better gigs I played in was at the top of the Prudential building; it was really cool,” he said. “The Beantown Swing Orchestra gives me a lot of opportunities to meet people and play in venues I never thought I’d be able to play in while also teaching me how to play more professionally.”
This summer, Ryan had the opportunity to perform with some of his heroes, taking part in the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop, where he performed with professional musicians in different combos and ensembles.
Rockport Music’s Cape Ann Jazz Workshop brings students aged 10 to 18 from across eastern Massachusetts for masterclasses in musicianship. Ryan was one of 50 young musicians taking part in the week-long program, culminating in a showcase on stage at Endicott College’s Rose Theater. Ryan was particularly excited by the idea of performing with saxophonist Alexa
Tarantino, Grammy Award-winning pianist Steven Feifke, and Grammy-nominated trombonist Nick Finzer.
“I saw all recognizable names, really prominent names, so I thought going for this and getting it would be a great experience,” Ryan said.
During the workshop, Ryan performed side-by-side with famous musicians he had never dreamed of meeting before.
“I would never have expected to be in the combo with such a famous and amazing musician while also having them treat us like just normal students,” he said. “It felt surreal because when somebody shows me the accolades that these staff members have, it’s like there’s no way I’d be able to play with them at all, and suddenly I’m in a combo with one of these people.”
With another school year set to begin, Ryan, a rising junior, is planning to play in the BHS wind ensemble as principal trumpet, as well as in the jazz ensemble. He is also looking forward to playing in the pit orchestra for the spring musical.
“It is honestly just a different type of playing from jazz and classical. You are playing in the pit, where nobody sees you, but everybody hears you, and the rush of the crowd cheering after every number is always fun,” he said.
While he does not plan to make music his career, Ryan said he looks forward to playing in a jazz or wind ensemble in college and maybe even in a theater pit orchestra.
“I’m going to try my best to play in college and hopefully out of college for fun with friends I might meet,” he said. “Maybe in the distant future, I can teach someone how to play trumpet and give them the opportunity to have the same experiences I had.”