This Life in the Spotlight is one who's love of music and marching band is a huge influence in his life. This week's Life in the Spotlight is the Drum Major of the Pride of Portage Marching Band, Nick Blue.
"My primary responsibility with the band are to serve as the student conductor, so I'm the one that stands on the podium and gives the band the tempo," says Blue. "I also do a lot of different things with style, so I conduct differently depending upon what the music sounds like, or how loud it is, or how angry or cheerful it is."
Blue's passion for marching band and directing is something that continues to drive his passion for music.
"Music has always been a passion of mine, I've played piano for 7 years and clarinet for 6, so the opportunity to stand on the other side of the podium from the ensemble has been a really interesting experience," says Blue. "It's helped me develop my sense of musicality into something I didn't think I would be capable of in the near future. "
Blue recently competed in their band's first competition at Concord High School and Penn High School, with their next competition being the State Prelims on October 10th.
"Preparing our show this year, Mechanize, has been a really different experience from last year. Our program is meant to mimic machines, so there're a lot of machine-like sound effects in the music, which is fun for the audience because that's not what you expect when you're watching a marching band show, it's very unique," says Blue.
When he is not in marching band, he spends his time playing the clarinet in PHS's advanced concert band as the first clarinetist. He has also been known to perform on piano and clarinet in the pit bands for the PHS Spring Musicals, on clarinet in the orchestra, and in the annual Variety Show.
Blue was also the featured pianist in the 2015 student production “4 Beekman,” in which he provided music and other sound effects for the show from an offstage piano.
Blue credits his passion for music coming from his band directors, Bill Timmerman and Drew Rhoda. Both of them have been supportive of his efforts as a growing musician and have encouraged him to get involved with all he could do in music, such as the Indiana University Summer Music Clinic, which he participated in twice, once in the summer of 2014 and once in the summer of 2015, and auditioning and applying for regional and state honor bands.
"I am a huge advocate for the arts, especially in education. I believe that the arts in some form, whether it be music, art, dance, or something similar, are essential to a well-rounded education," says Blue.
Blue's future goals include becoming a high school band director after college and taking what his musical mentors have given him, and give it back to a younger generation of musicians.
Blue is currently the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the PHS student newspaper the Pow Wow. Last year the paper was named a Hoosier Star Finalist publication, making it one of the best student newspapers in the state. In addition, Blue is a huge enthusiast of live theater and participates in shows behind the scenes whenever he can.
"Even though I’m not an official member of the PHS theater department, I’m a huge enthusiast of live theater, and you can bet that I’ll be at the opening night for each PHS play and musical."
Along with Blue's passion for music and the arts, he takes several honors classes, loves to read and enjoy good movies. Once his high school career is finished, he plans on attending Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, with Ball State and Butler as his second and third choices after that.