Skye DeBauch

Practicing after school, freshman Alexandra DeLuca performs her scales. DeLuca practices daily to build her playing skills. “When I played a piece that I really liked it really relaxed me. It gives me a sense of pride afterward,” DeLuca said.

Mesmerized by the woodwinds, freshman Alexandra Deluca dreamed of playing the piccolo when she was 10. However, her elementary school music teacher steered her to the flute. One Christmas present later, she was on her way to mastering the instrument. 

“I got a flute as one of my Christmas presents because I really wanted one since the time we learned about the flute at school. I didn’t really know how it worked, so [when] I put it together I blew on the wrong end of it,” DeLuca said.

To learn how to play, DeLuca took lessons outside of school twice a week. 

“I was very frustrated at first because it took me a while to even make a sound on the flute. It takes a while to just take the first step, which is learning how to blow the flute.  It’s not like a violin where you can pick it up and play it,” DeLuca said. “I had to do it all from YouTube tutorials which made it even more frustrating because no one I know knew how to play the flute. The more time I put into it, the more I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.”

Her private lessons allowed her to participate in the seventh-grade band as a sixth-grader.  

“At first I was really nervous to be a sixth-grader and seventh-grade band but then I realized I wasn’t going to gain anything from taking a beginners level class which would cover things I already knew. Even though I was nervous, I knew it was the right decision to take the higher level class to benefit me in the long run.”

By the time DeLuca got to eighth-grade, she had to repeat the eighth-grade band class because there were no higher classes to advance to. 

“It was hard [in seventh grade] because I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t feel weird [retaking eighth-grade band]. It was effortless [and] I liked being with my peers more,” DeLuca said.

Upon entering high school, DeLuca initially chose to take classes with her friends. Band was not one of them, but, after being asked by Wallace, she decided to entertain the option. 

“I was expecting to get into band, but I didn’t think I’d get into Symphonic band. When I found out I got in, it was very rewarding. Even with all the lessons I’d done, I have a habit of doubting my abilities. I thought it would be mostly juniors and seniors who were a lot better than me,” Deluca said.

To join Symphonic, DeLuca was required to audition. Her audition needed to include the scales and an excerpt from a flute etude, The Irish Washer Woman. DeLuca is one of three freshmen to make the Symphonic band class and she sits as first chair. 

“Alexandra took the audition last spring and did a remarkable job,” Wallace said. “Upon listening to her recorded audition, it was clear to me that she would benefit most from being in our Symphonic band course with some older students.”

To become a skilled flautist it takes dedication and hard work. DeLuca strives to achieve this by practicing outside of the classroom 20 minutes a day.

“I think I kept playing the flute so long just because you can never stop learning more things. There are so many different pieces and composers and different styles, so if you really have a passion for it, you’ll never get bored,” DeLuca said. 

Playing the flute has given DeLuca musical skills, as well as life lessons. 

“I was able to gain three important lessons; one, to believe in myself, two the ability to push myself for what I want, three, [to be] proud of what I got and where I’m going,” DeLuca said.