"Without these honor ensembles, I would not be going to college”: Local wind ensemble inspires students to pursue higher education

The May 2025 Youth Wind Ensemble Concert / Video by Gracie Ehrick

By Gracie Ehrick

As the rehearsal room fills with music, the newly introduced high school students ease into their piece, the harmony they create with one another fills the space. As the piece concludes and the instruments find their way from lips to laps, the final note rings in the air and begins to settle, just like the students finding their way to a new home. 

One of the most memorable experiences for course students would be involvement on campus and within other groups or clubs. For young and aspiring musicians, the Youth Wind Ensemble at Muskingum University is a beneficial place to start not only their musical career, but their college experience as well. The Youth Wind Ensemble is a harmonious assemblage of approximately 40 local high school students that come together to perform a collaborative concert at the end of the school year, after a semester of practicing together. The participating students must be recommended by their own band director and be within an hour's drive from campus.

Associate professor of music, David Turrill / Photo from Muskingum.edu

The Youth Wind Ensemble originated from the idea of a group of Muskingum students, who believed that despite being from small towns, growing musicians should be able to have the same experiences and learning opportunities despite the area of their school. When the Muskingum students performed in a statewide concert, they realized that most of the performers were from larger city schools. 

“The students believed there needed to be more opportunities for rural students and we ended up doing this and we got a grant just last year for it, and it not only benefits the younger high school students with playing but also helps the current Muskingum Students with conducting and leading,” said David Turrill, associate professor of music and the conductor of the Youth Wind Ensemble. “ 

“Where we live in Southeastern Ohio, it’s really hard to get a lot of opportunities for honor symphonies and orchestras, especially season long groups.” said Noah Peck, a senior at Crooksville High School and a Flute and Piccolo Soloist for the Youth Wind Ensemble. 

The musical group gathers twice a month for four months to rehearse and present a showcase on Muskingum University’s campus. This engagement on campus can ultimately impact the students’ decision on pursuing higher education.  

“The hope is that we have a bunch of high school students on campus, several times throughout the spring, and that they register ‘Hey, Muskingum’s a cool place, I’ll go there’, whether it's to study music or not,” said Turrill.  

Video interviews of Noah Peck, Fayth Davis and Abigail Kinney / By Gracie Ehrick

“This [experience] has really cemented my wanting to go into music education, I think,” said Fayth Davis, a senior from Shenandoah High School. “It really helped me solidify my love for music.”    

“I definitely think this experience will follow me forever. My college plan is to push through my bachelors, and masters, then if I have the time and willpower when I’m older, to come back and get my doctorate to be the best version of myself I can be. I think that without these ensembles, I wouldn’t have made that decision.” said Abigial Kinney, a senior trombone player from Monroe Central High School in Woodsfield Ohio. 

Despite the preparation and participation of the Youth Wind Ensemble only being a few months long, the influence of taking part in a college organization on campus can lead to lifelong benefits and students’ decisions on pursuing higher education.