Trumpeter Keith Popiel said he usually had no stage fright before performing, but when he found himself sitting on a historic stage in the Nation’s Capital among some of the country’s top young musicians, he felt realized that his musical career had reached its peak. .

Keith, a senior entering Free State High School, was selected for the 2022 National Youth Wind Ensemblea prestigious group made up of the best wind, brass and percussion performers aged 16 to 19.

“It was just a high class band and it didn’t really settle down until we played the gig. It was an amazing opportunity to be able to sit there and be in such a historic venue,” Keith said.

Keith was one of 40 musicians and one of five trumpeters chosen. As a member of the National Youth Wind Ensemble, he was immersed in music and military history in Washington, DC, for six days last week. Each experience throughout the week led to the final performance on June 18 at the Warner Theater in DC

The young musicians watched a rehearsal by the United States Marine Band, named The President’s Own, whose job since 1798 has been to entertain at the White House and represent the Marine Corps.

“There was time between their tracks to come up and talk to any instrumentalist you wanted to talk to, so that was super cool. The Marines there hadn’t hosted students in three years, so they were excited too,” Keith said.

“The President’s Own are arguably one of the best bands in the world, and we were able to speak with these professional musicians who wanted to give us their time.”

Daily rehearsals lasted approximately three hours each and were conducted and mentored by guest conductors and prominent military musicians. from the DC area, including Dr. Kevin Sedatole, director of bands at Michigan State University, and Col. Jason Fettig, 28th director of “The President’s Own.”

In addition to learning advanced pieces during rehearsals, the musicians continued visits to national monuments and exclusive historical sites. Keith said one of the highlights was being able to visit Marine Barracks, home to The President’s Own and The Commander’s Own – the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the only active duty drum and bugle corps currently in service in the armed forces.

Keith said the musicians had the opportunity to see Marine Barracks library archives first hand. Later, they attended the evening parade, a military band concert and a marching parade held weekly during the summer.

Led by Fettig and Sedatole, the ensemble performed over the weekend to an audience of about 500 family members, locals and professional military musicians. Keith sat in the second chair of the trumpet section and had a solo part.

“I am thrilled that Keith worked so hard to audition for the National Youth Wind Ensemble and was rewarded with an invitation to perform with these incredible musicians. This kind of musical experience can really be life changing,” said Paul Popiel, Keith’s father.

Paul is the band director at the University of Kansas, and he and Keith shared a passion for instrumental music.

“My dad is a big influence on me, and most people think he’s forcing me to do this,” Keith joked. “But he supports me and he doesn’t push. It just gives me the tools and resources to do what I want to do and love to do.

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Along with his father, Keith expressed his gratitude to his deputy group director at Free State, Melissa Smith, for encouraging him to apply and mentoring him through the process.

After submitting his application and video audition in January, Keith was selected in early February. He recalls attending a KU band camp in February, when on the day of the concert he found out shortly before going on stage that he had been selected. He shared this special moment with his family and everyone around him, and both of his parents were able to travel to DC to see it come to fruition.

The National Youth Wind Ensemble is sponsored by the Global Initiative for Talented Students (GIFTS), a non-profit organization aimed at helping talented students improve their skills and gain more opportunities and experiences.

Along with a vast array of opportunities he has embraced throughout his music career, Keith is able to add this accomplishment as he heads into his senior year of high school. He plans to continue with a band in college and beyond.

“I would like to be part of a group of professional musicians and be able to create a group like The President’s Own. It would be the ultimate dream of a lifetime – to make a band of this class,” Keith said.

Equity reporter Maya Hodison(her) can be reached at mhodison(at)lawrencekstimes(dot)com. Read more about his work for The Times here. Check out his staff biography here.

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