Bronaugh student makes All District Honors Band

Nevada Daily Mail

In his first mass band piece audition, Onyx Yasuhara, 15, of Bronaugh, qualified for All District Honors Band in Webb City.

"When I got into the room, I hadn't ever played half of the instruments," Yasuhara said. "I had to do three different things -- play a single instrument piece, rudiments and mixed percussion. I did everything focused around the snare drum."

Passing the audition, he will perform with district winners Jan. 12 and plans to participate at the state level in December.

Gay McGloschien said her son has been musical from a young age.

"He played pots and pans with chopsticks in the sink since he was little," she said and laughed. "He's self-taught and plays by ear."

"I joined band in fifth grade," he said. "I'm learning how to read sheet music."

Yasuhara sings and plays piano and guitar in addition to percussion instruments.

"When I play music, I play it to express myself," he said. "My feelings of sorrow and anger I express through my music. So that I have an outlet. On the piano, which has become my main instrument, I express feelings of romanticism/sorrow/stress. On the drums I express excitement or anger. The guitar is a mixture of both."

Yasuhara said he plans to attend college and major in music and computer technology.

"I would like to work at a music store while selling my own songs as a second income," he said.