Photo by Marley Arensberg

In Ms. Allender’s AP English class, Taik Willis completes his work. While still marching in band, Willis also participates in advanced and AP courses.

Driving back on the bus from the Don Hanna Band Competition, senior Taik Willis talks and laughs with his friends. Willis began playing in band his freshmen year, marching and competing with the bass clarinet. 

“I love band because it’s something I get to do for other people,” Willis said. “You can’t ever forget your first time marching on the field because it feels so surreal and, for me, it changed my whole future.”

The band meets and practices for three weeks before each school year begins to learn and prepare their music for marching season. 

“It’s always really cool to see our progress from the beginning of band camp in the summer to how we finish in November,” Willis said. “It’s also just a great opportunity for connection. Through band camp each year I’ve been able to make connections for the new year, and that’s also where I met some of my best friends.”

Former Legacy band teacher Christopher Monasmith first met Willis before his freshman year when they hosted incoming freshmen marching camps, and believes his dedication toward his craft has allowed him to achieve success.

“Taik has always shown an intense devotion to music,” Mr. Monasmith said. “I hope that Taik continues to fuel his passion for music and grows into a fine musician. I want Taik to walk down the path he chooses for himself and continue to pursue excellence as he has always done.”

Willis encourages all underclassmen to not take things too seriously and live more in the moment. 

“Don’t rely on what a judge says for your opinion about yourself or your skills,” Willis said. “How you leave the field and how you feel when you leave any performance is what truly matters. If you’re giving it your best effort, the feeling you feel while playing in that moment is truly irreplaceable.”

Willis plans to attend University of Texas Arlington for his first year and then attend University of Texas Austin to major in music education. 

“When I started high school, I had no idea what I was doing. Music became the thing that shaped me, so I couldn’t see myself not pursuing music after high school,” Willis said. “I want to be able to create the family of band that I got to enter into.”