Brandon Twp. – Benjamin Reed is a Brandon High School senior heading for Washington D.C. to perform in front of the United States Air Force band and says he’s not even nervous about it.
‘It’s just an honor to make it this far,? said Reed. ‘I’m not nervous about the competition aspect of it.?
In January 2004 Reed will be competing against four students from across the U.S., who have been invited to audition for the unique opportunity of a cameo performance with the Air Force Band.
While he will be competing against four different instruments Reed’s confidence with his French horn, gained from infinite hours of practice since age 11, is finally paying off for him.
Last spring Brandon Schools Band Director Russ McMartin received a flyer with an application from the Airforce band encouraging directors across the country to send recommendations of their top performers.
McMartin said he instantly thought of Reed, a performer in the high school symphonic band, a drum major for the marching band, performs with the Oakland Youth Orchestra, as well as the Flint Youth Symphony. Having taken lessons from McMartin’s wife, three years, and currently studying under the direction of Corbin Wagner from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, McMartin figured it couldn’t hurt to recommend Reed to the esteemed U.S. Air Force band.
‘When I got the package I thought ‘if anyone,? it’s Ben,? said McMartin. ‘Besides, it couldn’t hurt for him to try.?
A portion of the Air Force requirement package was for the applicant to record a tape of the student playing a Mozart concerto (Mozart’s First Concerto).
After working on the piece through the summer, Reed sent smooth rich sounds of his French horn to the Air Force, but did not expect a response.
‘I had played other Mozart concertos but not this one,? said Reed. ‘But it couldn’t hurt to try,? he said.
In December the Air Force contacted Reed (by letter) to inform him he was one of five finalists to compete for a solo spot in the US Air Force band.
‘I worked on it over the summer to get it ready but it was quite a shock for me to find out I was in the finals,? Reed said.
So on Jan. 8, 2004, in Washington D.C., Reed will perform the concerto in front of the principal players of the Air Force band. If Reed is the chosen musician he will return to Washington D.C. to present the concerto solo, with the Air Force band, during a performance in February 2004.
Reed’s mother, a music teacher at Clarkston Schools, has encouraged her children to play music, and accompanies them on the piano.
‘It helped that his mom played the piano so she could accompany him,? said McMartin of the concerto piece Reed submitted to the Air Force.
Reed said until now he decided pursuing musical education would be a more practical career choice because he has been able to learn what life is like for professional musicians, from his Detroit Symphony Orchestra instructor, Corbin Wagner.
However, since hearing he’s one of the top five in the country, chosen to try for the coveted solo performance seat with the Air Force band, Reed says he’s reconsidering his educational options.
‘I kind of ruled out performance until I heard from them, then I thought maybe this may have an effect over my decision of becoming a performance musician or an educator,? he said.
While Reed says he is not nervous about the upcoming competition, he said the biggest issue now will be working out the technical aspects to get the kinks worked out of the Mozart piece, and is looking forward to the honor of performing it in front of the Air Force band.
‘I still have to work on the technical aspects and musical phrasing,? said Reed. ‘Once I get that down it’s all automatic.?
‘If I win the opportunity to play with them that would be great but being a finalist is quite an honor in itself, for me,? he smiled.