Music has always played a big role in senior Carter Smeal’s life. He has enjoyed being a musician since elementary school.“Ever since then, I have just really loved playing music,” Smeal said.
Smeal plays the cello and the piano.
“But the cello is my favorite instrument,” Smeal said.
Smeal qualified for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association State Orchestra this year, marking his third straight year of making states. The state festivals provide students with the opportunity to play at a higher caliber. It also gives them audition experience.
To make it to states, Smeal had to make it into districts, and then win an audition there to qualify for regionals. From there, Smeal won another audition to qualify for states.
“Carter has been doing really well. He was first at regions, first at districts, and first at honors, which is a separate but similar competition,” band teacher Emery Palmer said.
State PMEAs were held at the end of April in the Poconos. Smeal placed third overall.
Smeal said rehearsing the music and preparing to be ready to play with others is how he has prepared for the competitions. He said the hard work that goes into playing the cello is rewarding, especially with qualifying for an event like PMEA.
“I have really just enjoyed being able to do it,” Smeal said.
He said his favorite part about PMEAs is getting the opportunity to compete and be around other musicians who are at the same skill level as him, as well as hanging out with friends throughout the weekend of the event.
Palmer said Smeal’s dedication and attention to his playing is what makes him stand out. A lot of rehearsing goes into PMEAs, Palmer said.
“It’s long days, but it’s an enjoyable experience because he’s getting the opportunity to engage with musicians that are at the same level,” Palmer said.Smeal also takes private cello lessons outside of school. He said his music career is a big part of who he is.
“Getting to meet so many cool people within and outside of Baldwin and making so many memories through music is my favorite part,” Smeal said.
Smeal said he could not imagine his life without music, so he knew he wanted to continue with it in college and his career. He will be attending college at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University to get his bachelor’s degree in cello performance.
“I would like to have a career in performing arts, but I would love to be a major in symphony orchestra,” Smeal said.
Senior Braydon Parker has known Smeal for seven years, and they have played music together since elementary school.
“He’s just a step above everybody else there,” Parker said. ”He’s the next level.”
Smeal has always worked hard, Parker said. But it is Smeal’s ability to learn new pieces of music and take criticism and apply it instantly that makes him impressive as a musician, Parker said.
For Smeal, it all comes down to his love of the music.
“I love music, the cello, and performing, and I could not see my life without music in it,” Smeal said.
