Image provided by: West Linn High School; West Linn, OR
About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2007)
2007 Mozart, Stravinsky, Brizendine Senior displays talent far beyond his years u C helsea C allas _____________ Contributing Writer Taylor Brizendine, senior, has perfected 20-30 pieces of music and hopes to become a composer in New York. The first step? Gaining admission to the music school which accepts only two composers worldwide per year: the Curtis Institute of Music. Although Brizendine currently plays the bassoon, his passion lies in composing. He has started, hated or not finished anywhere from 200- 300 symphonies (he isn't quite sure of the exact number), but has also completed around 20- 30 pieces of which he is very proud. "If you try to write the letter 'A' absolutely perfectly, and don't stop until it's perfect, over time that's a lot of A's," Brizendine said, answering the question of why has he written so many pieces. Although Brizendine has a vast talent for composing, he receives help from his friends, Jeff Cumpston, Band and Orchestra Director, his Portland Youth Philharmonic group, and his private music composition teacher, Tomas Svoboda. Svoboda, according to Brizendine, is one of the best composers of the 20th and 21st century. Svoboda also taught Cumpston who agrees with Brizendine's assessment. After seeing Brizendine's immense amount of talent and intelligence in writing music, Cumpston handed him over to his previous composition teacher. As for Brizendine's family, he says they are very supportive of his music. Although his mother, Lisa, has no music background, his father, Don, plays the drums in gigs at clubs in downtown Portland in addition to his full time job. Brizendine has been involved with music since he was in second grade, starting with the piano, switching to the tenor sax, and now the bassoon; a recommendation of his current band teacher, Cumpston. He also participates in an exclusive youth music organization called the Portland Youth Philharmonic. Along with his drive to compose great pieces of music, Brizendine also loves the feeling of accomplishment after writing a piece. He confesses that it takes a lot of discipline for him to sit down and write sometimes, especially when he is being paid to do so. Brizendine has already started a composing career. He says sometimes when he has to sit down and write to meet a deadline it feels forced, Taylor Brizendine pieces together a composition on the piano. The senior, who has a deep passion for music, has been perfecting his art for the last ten years and hopes to be admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music. Photo by Malia Chong but he does his best to stay inspired. "I try to see the good things in nature. If you're too Gay/Straight Alliance makes voice heard m HlLLI ClAVARELLQ_____________ We've tried to make GSA more active this year by being involved with the LGBTQ community," Oliverio said. Events like National Coming Out Day, Ally Week and the Cascade AIDS walk have helped the club be more vocal in and outside of school. The Cascade AIDS more than 300 pledges Staff Reporter signed. The Gay/Straight Alliance "I like to think it raised club is geared towards awareness. Most people promoting the tolerance of signed them, but there were members in the gay, lesbian, some people who weren't bisexual and transgendered as open minded to it," community. In past years Brizendine said. they haven't been as vocal The Day of Silence but this year's new president demonstration is also at Angela Oliverio and vice- the top of the list for GSA president Taylor members this Brizendine, year. This annual seniors, are nationwide hoping to make demonstration, that a thing of the in its 11th year, past. is held on April "Homophobia 18. It speaks is a major issue out against at West Linn that LGBTQ bullying affects everyone in schools and regardless of the community. sexual orientation. With anticipation for the Day of We are trying to Silence mounting, create a presence comes concern in the school and stemming from claim a voice," the repercussions Oliverio said. felt two years ago Their goal this after West Linn year is to create a safe and accepting Angela Oliverio, president, talks with GSA members Anna was mentioned O'Kain and Ariel Heston, seniors. The club plans to be more on the national atmosphere, by active in the community, participating in events like Cascade conservative radio reaching out AIDS Walk and Ally Week. Photo by Malia Chong show, Lars Larson. to the school walk, attended by 15 GSA and the community. The "My excitement for the members, took place in members of GSA have tried day outweighs any concerns. downtown Portland on to make their voices heard We hope to make the Day of October 13. Ally Week was by attending many different Silence a very big deal this national events involved with held the week of October 14- year with many participants. 20. It was a national event in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, My hope is that many people which students and teachers transgender, and queer will participate and the pledged to end anti-LGBTQ [LGBTQ] community. silence will be felt throughout bullying and harassment "Our club is about the school. We must end the in K-12 schools. At WLHS, celebrating diversity discrimination," Oliverio it was a huge success, with said. regardless of orientation. critical, nothing is inspiring," Brizendine said. Along with nature, Brizendine is inspired by other composers' work, other music, and people, but says it's not always a specific thing, but all different things at different times. One of his greatest inspirations, though, is Cumpston, his instructor and the teacher of Symphonic Band, in which Brizendine plays. To Brizendine, Cumpston is not only a great teacher, but also a great friend. Brizendine has spent almost four years, nearly four periods a day with Cumpston, and even more if you count Brizendine and Cumpston's out-of-school relationship which goes as far as Brizendine baby sitting Cumpston's children. Cumpston says Brizendine is doing amazing things and the reason lies within his personality and spirit. He says Brizendine's great sense of humor, open mind, creativity and free spirit come through in the music he writes and help to make it great. "I've never had anybody write composition like Taylor," Cumpston said. Cumpston acknowledges that Brizendine, along with many other talented band students, go unnoticed. "If they're not on stage acting and singing they get overlooked," Brizendine agreed. Brizendine has high aspirations for his future, including attending Curtis, one of the leading music schools in the world which offers scholarships to all 160 students it accepts each year. After graduation, he plans to be a composer in New York City because of his yearning to be in a big city. Cumpston also has high hopes for Brizendine but says his future will depend on which college he gets into and what professional music connections he makes. Cumpston believes Brizendine's passion, talent and intelligence will take him to where he wants to be. "Taylor's gonna be the real deal," Cumpston said. One of Brizendine's favorite things about music is that it can be practiced in so many different ways. He says, for example, with a painting you can either "look at it, or paint it," music can be written, played, listened to, conducted, etc. He appreciates individuality in music, but also thinks music theory is important. Another favorite is the constant improvement he experiences. "When it comes to music, there's nothing I like more than learning new things and improving what I've done," Brizendine said. Unplanned Pregnancy? You Deserve to KNOW: ...Are you really pregnant? ...Have you explored all your options? ...Are all your questions answered? Nurse Consultations. Pregnancy Tests. Ultrasound to Verify if Pregnancy is Viable. Respectful. Confidential. PKC All Services Free M ILW A U K IE 1 4 4 1 9 SE M cLoughlin Blvd. M ilwaukie 9 7 2 2 2 Convenient Hours No Appointment Necessary 5 0 3 .6 5 9 .3 3 3 6 Pregnancy Resource Centers Beaverton • Gresham • Tigard • w w w .p rc o fp o rtla n d .c o m Lloyd Center • Milwaukie • SE Portland
