Student Success Story Featuring Jarred Hickman

As a teacher, for me personally, there is no greater joy than watching your students work tirelessly to meet their goals and to see them realized.

Jarred Hickman has been a student of mine for nearly ten years, and I can say that he’s by far one of the hardest-working young musicians I know. He began music lessons with me when he was seven years old, first studying guitar, and then he took on percussion when he turned nine. Now fifteen years old, he is a freshman at Olentangy Orange High School and is involved in so many special groups and ensembles. At the beginning of this school year, Jarred auditioned to be on the “tenor drum line” for his marching band, and was awarded an “alternate” spot on the line. This is a HUGE accomplishment for a freshman because typically “tenor” spots are reserved for upperclassmen, and for good reason. The drums are VERY heavy, and since the upperclassmen have already been marching for a few years they have the muscle tone needed to carry the drums. Not to mention, the skill level needed to be able to play the drums must also be at a high caliber because the music is written at a very difficult degree.

In addition to his marching band accomplishments, for the first time in his school career, Jarred went to his district’s “Solo and Ensemble” competition and received a “Superior Rating” (the highest rating you can get) on his snare drum solo, “Portraits In Rhythm #13, by Anthony J. Cirone.” (Class B)
“Solo and Ensemble” is an adjudicated event for young musicians (middle school through high school) to show their skills by playing through various scales and rudiments, and also by performing a prepared piece. There are three different class levels sat which a student can enter, starting at class C, which has a low to moderate degree of difficulty, class B which is a moderate to high degree of difficulty, and class A which is a very high degree of difficulty. It is a very “high-pressure” environment though you are not directly competing with other musicians. You are mainly striving for the highest rating you can get from the judge you perform for.

Not only is he involved in concert band, jazz band, marching band, theater, drum club, and hockey, (jeez dude!) he is also very giving of his time to musicians younger than him as well. He has created small drum clinics to help the middle school drum line in his district prepare for marching band because he values music education very deeply. I have to say, this warms my heart greatly. This is an individual who is always on the go, always moving on to the next activity, and yet he still makes time for students younger than him that are also passionate about percussion and want the extra help. We’ve spoken many times during his lessons about how to teach others and how to inspire them.

I asked Jarred to answer a few questions about his success this year, about the obstacles he has overcome, and what he’s most proud of. Here are his thoughts:

Can you describe one of your proudest moments over this last school year?
-My proudest accomplishment has been beating out two seniors AND my section leader as a freshman in a drumline challenge that earned me a spot to be on the field for our halftime shows.

What was one of your biggest challenges this year, and how did you get through it?
-A few of my biggest challenges in the past year have been my first Solo and Ensemble competition, balancing hockey, marching band, instructing the middle school drumline, being a lead in theater, and also being an “all honors student” at Olentangy Orange High School.

What would you say has been your biggest achievement this year, and why? 
-One of my biggest achievements has been instructing the Olentangy Orange Middle School Drumline.

When you had to perform at your district's "solo and ensemble competition", what was your biggest concern? 
-A few of my biggest concerns for my Solo and Ensemble performance were underplaying my dynamics, not getting the proper tempos for the various sections in the piece, and letting my nerves get the best of me.

What do you think is one of your biggest takeaways from earning a spot on the tenor drumline this year? 
-One of my biggest takeaways from being an Olentangy Orange Pioneer tenor is to work hard. Whenever I had a difficult piece or exercise, I learned to just work through them (bit by bit), reroute back to my basics, and let it just fall out on the page. Whenever I did this, the results amazed me. My advice for you is to keep at it and don’t stop just because something is difficult.

What do you look forward to next year? 
-I’m looking forward to my next marching band and hockey season.

What are your personal goals for your future, i.e. DCI drum corps, college? 
-My personal goals are to go to the Ohio State University, get a master’s degree in music education, play on the Ohio State Buckeyes D3 hockey team, and by senior year, be a D1 lineman.

What is your advice to young musicians looking to grow their skills? 
-My advice is to always use a metronome (this makes my teacher's heart so very proud!!!), take time to master your basics, and rudiments are your bread and butter.

What would you like to share about your lessons with Caitie?
-Caitie has been THE GREATEST teacher I could ever have. Through the years she’s been teaching me, she’s understood my personal life and how busy I am and goes beyond music to make me not only a better percussionist but also a better human. She’s not just an amazing musician, she’s also a miracle worker. I wouldn’t have had ANY of my experiences or accomplishments if it wasn’t for her.

Jarred, it has been an honor and a privilege to see you grow into such a fine musician who takes his craft seriously and dedicates his time to helping others. You have become such a fine young man, and I know that there is literally NOTHING that can stop you from achieving the goals you have set forth for yourself. You have made me so very, very proud. I am honored and humbled to be your teacher!

Here’s to your upcoming sophomore year, one I know you’ll absolutely slay.

Congratulations on all of your hard work that has paid off!