Music is a layered art, the sounds of various instruments blending together to weave into a song.

These instrumental layers fascinate senior band president Pavithra Vijayakumar not just in her favorite songs, but in her band performances as well.

“You can hear the music being created in real time, which makes band super cool,” Vijayakumar said. “You’re part of the music being created, but you’re also able to hear it all around you and see how it’s created piece by piece.”

Vijayakumar has been a clarinetist for seven years. Her interest in band sparked in Cottonwood Creek Elementary, though it was not the clarinet that initially captured her attention.

“I had a friend back in fifth grade who played the flute, and she would bring it to school sometimes for some activities we would have,” Vijayakumar said. “After hearing her play the flute, I was in love with it. The fact that she could make music herself was so fascinating to me.”

Vijayakumar officially began her band journey in sixth grade at Coppell Middle School North and entered high school already a member of the CHS varsity band.

“The thing that stood out to me the most is just her willingness to learn and absorb,” assistant band director Riaz Mohammed said. “She just always strives to be better at something every day.” 

Her original plan was to drop the class after two years once required credit was earned. At the end of her freshman year, however, Vijayakumar had a change of heart.

“It’s true that so much of your time is dedicated towards a show,” Vijayakumar said. “But all these rehearsals that you do with all your friends come together to create one big show and that payoff at the end feels so fulfilling.”

In addition to this feeling of accomplishment, it was the community that encouraged Vijayakumar to continue her time in band.

“You spend so much time with a group of people and you really get to know each other,” Vijayakumar said. “You go together and you create a show together, and I feel like that’s just very cool. Ever since then I thought, ‘this is amazing, I want to do it all four years.”

It is this community that keeps her going on harder days.

“When the music gets tough and you feel like I can’t do this, the people are what keep you going,” Vijayakumar said. “It’s the fact that you’re all doing it together as a group. You’re with them for such a long period of time, you’re sweating with them, you’re tired with them. I feel like it bonds you closer than anything.”

Enjoying and dedicating lots of hours into something tends to motivate and inspire a person to lead and help others in the same activity. Vijayakumar’s first band leadership position was the clarinet section leader during her junior year.

“During the time I was section leader, I really realized that I loved being a leader,” Vijayakumar said. “I loved helping out and finding new ways to organize events or bring people in, like connecting with the underclassmen.”

This epiphany made band more enjoyable and meaningful for Vijayakumar. By senior year, she stepped into the shoes of band president.

“Being president was just like being a section leader, but on a broader scale as you’re able to connect with and help even more people,” Vijayakumar said. “It’s really rewarding that I’m able to give back to the band like this in my last year because it makes everything before it seems worth it.”

Vijayakumar’s determination and persistence helped her reach where she is now.

“She was always a person looking for improvement,” head band director Kimberly Shuttlesworth said. “She would always come in after her auditions and ask for feedback and what she could do to work on things. I always thought that was a very mature way to approach her auditions, even if she didn’t get the results she wanted.”

Band serves as a source of motivation for Vijayakumar, driving her passion.

“I feel like having something else to put your passion and time into gives you a bigger sense of satisfaction than just school, because school is just like something I have to do,” Vijayakumar said. “But being good at your instrument, practicing and working hard is something that you choose for yourself and it’s like I want to do this. So you’re choosing to put your energy and your time into this.”

Vijayakumar will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the fall.

“I’m sad to see her go, but I’m happy she’s going to Texas as an alum,” Shuttlesworth said. “I’m always proud when someone chooses Texas. I just can’t wait to see what she does.”

Follow Ishana (@_ishana_sharma) and @CHSCampusNews on X.