NORWALK, Conn. Norwalks Nathan Hale Middle School band is performing a very special song at its next concert, one composed by a classmate.
Maeve Bustell, an eighth-grader at Nathan Hale, has been playing music most of her life, much to the surprise of her family. I dont really know why I wanted to start music, because no one in my family is musical, Bustell said. Theyre supportive, they just dont really understand it. She said theyre trying, though.
The song her bandmates will perform is called Kinetics and is the result of her trying out melodies since she started playing on the electric piano her parents got as a toy.
While in seventh grade, Bustell went to her music teacher, Ed Wojtowicz, with some of the music she had written, and there has been a back and forth ever since.
In all the years Ive taught, this is the first time Ive had a student do this, which is pretty amazing, said Wojtowicz.
Kinetic is now for a full band, including instruments the middle school ensemble doesnt have, such as bassoon and chimes.
Its also been written for instruments Bustell doesnt play, and thats where the computer program Finale comes in handy, letting her work with instruments she doesnt know. She does, however, play piano, clarinet, bass clarinet and alto sax, and can play scales on a few others.
I would describe Kinetic as being eclectic and crazy, Bustell said. There are certain parts where the chords arent something you would usually hear, and its like dissonance and notes that dont usually go together are there to create a BAM! I put crazy notes in there to create an element of surprise.
When asked how her classmates feel about performing a song their peer wrote, she said they were pretty excited, as far as she knew.
Music, she said, will always be a part of her life. Shes taking three music classes at Norwalk High School next year, although she isnt sure what will happen after that.
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