This Farmer Focus is on Rabeeba Mahaseen who plays the flute in band.

SNAPSHOTS

Apple juice or orange juice: Apple juice

iPhone or Android: iPhone

Winter or summer: Summer

Favorite food: Spaghetti

Favorite show: “Naruto”

ZOOMING IN 

Q: How long have you been in band? What made you stay?

A: “I’ve been in band since sixth grade and [I’m] currently a senior, so I’ve been in band for a total of seven years. To be honest, the friendships and memories I’ve made at football games and competitions are what made me stay in band.”

Q: What instrument do you play? What would you have picked if that wasn’t an option?

A: “I play the flute and honestly if that wasn’t an option, I would’ve picked the trombone just because it’s so fun to listen to.”

Q: How does your band schedule affect your day-to-day life?

A: “Band actually helps my schedule a lot. It keeps me in check to do my homework and make sure I’m on top of all of my classes, especially my AP classes during the fall. Because rehearsal ends at 7 p.m., I always make sure to do my homework.” 

Q: What do you most enjoy about band?

A: “I enjoy the long-lasting friendships and bonds I’ve been able to make throughout the years and the bus rides to competitions. It’s so fun.”

Q: What’s some advice you would give to someone who wanted to join band?

A: “Always make sure you’re staying on top of your practice routine because you need to know your music in order to participate. But also to have fun and try your hardest.”

Q: What was the most difficult performance you’ve done?

A: “Truthfully, the most difficult performance I’ve ever done was the first football game of this season. The metronome cut out at the beginning of the performance and it just alarmed everybody. But we all managed to keep it professional and get back on time. It was fun.”

Q: What’s your favorite song to play? 

A: “‘Vesuvius’ by Frank Tichelli. It’s a really nice piece. It’s my favorite because it was a piece my old freshman band director, Mr. Agwu, chose and it just has a lot of sentimental value to me just because of how good freshman year was.” 

Q: What is the most stressful time of the year in a band and why?

A: “It would have to be the fall semester, just because we have rehearsals daily, football games and competitions. We also have homework, but on top of that we have our Region music which can be very challenging regardless of grade level. But we get through it.”

Q: What competitions make you nervous? Why?

A: “UIL and Area just because it’s one performance with the ratings that evaluate how we’ve done all year. Also, UIL determines whether or not we go to Area.”