For the graduating class of 2025, students are grappling with the realization that their time at Hayes has come to an end. With this realization comes a reflection on their years at Hayes and how much they have grown as students, people and, in the music program, musicians. I asked three students in orchestra how their time at Hayes has shaped them as musicians and people.
Lucas Hopper joined orchestra in fifth grade.
“My family was always very music-oriented,” Hopper said. “My older sister also did orchestra, [although] she was a senior when I was in fifth grade. That’s a large part of the reason why I ended up getting into it.”
Hopper decided to play the viola back in fifth, although he was conflicted about choosing between cello and viola.
“I was very, very close to playing the cello, but I last minute decided to play viola,” he said, laughing. “I do not regret that choice.”
Throughout middle school, Hopper continued playing the viola, obtaining more difficult music to challenge him as the years progressed.
In high school, Hopper played in Symphony Orchestra, starting out in Concert Orchestra his freshman year and continued in Symphony sophomore through senior year.
“I really, really like music, so it’s just really nice to be able to be within a group of people that kind of shares that passion,” Hopper said. “It’s not just community, it’s also the pieces that we get. I feel like I get them and I can do something with them musically.”
His favorite memories from orchestra include playing Sinfonia in D for Solo & Ensemble his junior year and going to New York this previous April.
Outside of orchestra, Hopper is a part of Symphonic Choir.
Hopper plans on attending either Hocking College or the University of Memphis for music business.
Carson Maharry started playing the cello in fifth grade at Smith.
“I really wanted to join orchestra because it was the first opportunity to play music,” Maharry said. “I love music, and it was the first thing that was kind of available to me, so it seemed cool.”
He played the cello for orchestra 5th through 8th grade and then continued to play throughout his high school career.
Maharry was a member of Hayes Players, Symphony Orchestra and Glee Club during his senior year.
“I love that we can hear something kind of random, like one of our favorite songs on the radio or movie, and then we can come in and read the music and make that music ourselves,” Maharry said. “I think that’s one of my favorite things, is that we can recreate something super beautiful, super fun.”
His favorite memory was playing Dances de Panama with the Dalí String Quartet and Central Ohio Symphony.
“It was just super cool to hang out with professional musicians. They were really cool,” Maharry said.
Outside of school, Maharry is a part of Glee Club, works at the YMCA as a lifeguard, and plays pickleball with his friends.
After graduation, Maharry plans on attending Otterbein University, majoring in nursing while playing soccer. He hopes to continue playing the cello in the orchestra there as well.
Nat Zahniser has played the viola since fifth grade.
“I guess [I just wanted] to do something that seemed cool, honestly,” Zahniser said.
They have played throughout middle school, even playing in Dempsey Players before it was shut down temporarily due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Zahniser was a part of Symphony Orchestra freshman through senior year.
“The idea of making music with other people is really cool,” they said. “I just enjoy making music, but sometimes it can be kind of ‘eh’ on your own, so orchestra provides a good opportunity to do it with other people.”
Their favorite memory was the New York trip their freshman year as well as playing Across the Wind for contest their sophomore year.
Zahniser plans to attend Kent State University, majoring in computer science, while still hoping to pursue music as a hobby.
