As CHS9 student Manya Goyal plays the trumpet, the music extends beyond just a symphony. The sounds are an expression of her passion, backed by persistent positivity. She holds her trumpet with the intention of creation.
“I really enjoy playing my instrument and being able to create something amazing with it,” Goyal said. “It’s just a different experience playing versus drawing or writing. It just makes you feel something.”
Goyal’s journey with trumpet began from a wave of boredom and eagerness to explore something unfamiliar.
“I just really wanted to try something different, something that I didn’t know a lot about because I was bored after COVID,” Goyal said. “It seemed a lot more interesting to try something new than stick to what I already knew.”
At a Coppell Middle School North orientation, Goyal saw Coppell Band perform for the first time. “Fight Song” and “Land of 100 Dances” echoed through the gym, fueling her desire.
“The moment I heard the band play I was like ‘yeah, I think I definitely want to do that,” Goyal said. “I remember thinking it would be cool if I could play for so many people one day which made me really excited. I think that’s why I was so passionate about it.”
This excitement motivated Goyal to commit to band. She devoted her days to rehearsing music and learning choreography.
“She is really great as a band player, she practices a lot,” said CHS9 student Neev Goyal, Manya’s twin brother. “She is someone who likes to succeed, does not get distracted and is very efficient with her time.”
After hours of determined practice, the audition for varsity band arrives, testing her scales, fundamentals and sight reading. She focuses on the two musical pieces she is given to play, detaching from any outcomes.
“I practiced so much,” Manya said. “I was really trying my best to get those musical songs they made us play, to learn all my skills. I needed to do good and show them that I’m a good trumpet player.”
In June, she opened the Google Sheets spreadsheet and found her name under the roster. She was selected varsity marching band. According to assistant band director Riaz Mohammed, Manya had a successful audition for both her marching and musical abilities.
“I was pretty excited because I was pretty high for a freshman so I was excited that I showed them what I can do and that really reflected on my position,” Manya said.
This strong work ethic carried into high school and remained just as relentless after making varsity marching band.
“During rehearsals she is pretty energetic whereas a lot of people tend to get a little down when we’re in the heat for so long,” sophomore Kendal Thiele said. “She stays positive the whole time, she keeps working and she gives it her all even if she’s tired.”
Her path to varsity was not easy, however. Despite being voted as sixth grade band representative, band vice president in seventh grade and band president at CMSN, varsity band brought new experiences for Goyal.
“Marching was definitely a new experience, I was honestly really terrified because it’s a whole new concept,” Goyal said. “All of a sudden instead of 40 kids, it’s 300. You get to meet such a huge section.”
But as she marched, Manya found her rhythm. Within the larger groups, she discovered a community to lean on.
“It definitely feels like I am doing something interesting and different which makes me feel like I’m a part of something bigger rather than just playing for myself now,” Manya said. “Especially once you watch yourself march you’re like ‘oh my gosh, I can’t believe I did all of that. I learned all that.”
Along with her bandmates, Manya has her parents to rely on, shuttling her to practices and encouraging her after long days.
“I really appreciate them because we have so many rehearsals and games that they have been taking me and my brother around,” Manya said. “I’m really thankful that they are able to make time to do that for us because it would be really hard if they couldn’t.”
Her hard work culminated in a defining moment during summer band camp. When Manya stepped onto the field for the first time, it was her first time performing in front of her parents.
“As I was watching them, I was simply amazed by how much they had all accomplished within two weeks,” Manya’s mother Megha Bansal said. “I think that was one of the big highlights for us when she performed and it was really nice to see it all come together. I am really proud of how far she has come.”
Manya remains motivated, immersing herself in the band community and inspiring others.
“She’s a great team player and is definitely an asset on the varsity team,” Mohammed said. “She seems to enjoy what we do here, relate to us and get along well with her peers.”
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