West Newsmagazine 11-7-18

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November 7, 2018
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
I SCHOOLS I 23
Tune in: Local musician part of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
By BONNIE KRUEGER
The Macy’s Great American Marching
Band, featuring 185 high school
musicians and 40 flags and dancers, is a
12-year tradition that’s part of the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year, Isabelle
Hefele will be among those stepping
off from Central Park.
Hefele is the only local student selected for
the parade, now in its 92nd year. A junior at
Parkway South High, she has devoted much
of her life to music, starting with the violin
in third grade and cello in fourth and fifth
grades. She also plays the piano and percussion.
But it wasn’t until she heard a mariachi
band while on a mission trip that she found
her true love – the trumpet – which she’s
been playing since middle school.
Hefele admits she’s technologically
challenged and nearly missed the deadline
for submitting the Great American Marching
Band’s online video audition, but her
friend and classmate Aaron Zoellner came
to her rescue. On a chilly day in March,
Hefele marches across a football field,
demonstrating her mastery of basic steps
and showcasing that she can play while
marching forward and backward [no easy
task]. Playing in a marching band takes
Isabelle Hefele
precision as well as musical skill as Hefele
proved in her audition video.
While technology may not be her friend,
her talent is evidenced by her musical
achievements thus far. Hefele is the trumpet
section leader in both the school’s
concert and marching bands. She won top
honors in a state competition last school
year, playing in a trumpet quartet with
fellow South High classmates Darren Farnsworth,
Joe Novak and Joachim Kasper.
“To me, music is a way to communicate
in a way that words cannot. Music takes it
further. Every year, I tip my hat to God and
use it as a way to praise Him,” she said.
Playing in the Manchester Community
StCharlesCVB_Nov_18_CT_MidRiver_West_1_2page.pdf 1 10/29/18 4:16 PM
[Rick Zoellner photo]
Band is another way Hefele furthers her musical
pursuits. The band is made up of mostly
older adults, which she said challenges her to
be on her A-game. She was inspired to join
the band because of her admiration for its
director – Chris Becker, her former South
High band director. Becker has been music
director and conductor of the community
band since its inception in 2013. He taught in
Missouri public schools for 40 years – 36 of
which where in Parkway and all but five of
those years were at South High.
“[Isabelle] is a talented and enthusiastic
young musician, with a very outgoing personality,”
Becker said of his former student.
“Isabelle is one of those young people who
is so eager to participate and contribute
that it is really a pleasure to have her in
the group. It was the same way when she
was in the band at Parkway South during
my last year of teaching. I think we made
a very positive connection there, and it has
continued through her involvement in the
Manchester Community Band.
“I am very grateful that she chooses to
play in the band and flattered that she still
wants to perform in a group that I conduct.”
While a few high school students have
participated in the Manchester Community
Band, Hefele is one of the youngest musicians
in its history.
“This past summer, Isabelle was the only
rising junior to play the concerts, and she
did so very, very well. I think the experience
helped her develop confidence in her
playing and also improved her playing
skills,” Becker said.
To prepare for the Macy’s parade, Hefele
will travel to New York on Nov. 17, the
Saturday before Thanksgiving, to attend
rehearsals, leadership seminars and speaking
engagements. But it’s not all work and
no play. As part of the week, Hefele will
attend “Wicked” on Broadway and tour
Radio City Music Hall. Her mom, Amie;
stepdad, Jim; and two sisters will join her
in New York on Monday, Nov. 19.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us
to go as a family, although we are mostly on
our own until the parade,” Amie explained.
The family will conclude the trip with a
visit to the 9/11 memorial site.
“Isabelle is incredibly patriotic. She is a
witness of her faith and patriotism,” Jim
said. “It shines through her smile, her
words and her faith in her country.”
Tune in to watch Hefele perform in the
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from
8-11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22 on NBC.
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