By: Brooke Maser
For Fernando Verver, Fort Worth senior, music has always held a close place to his heart. His journey with music began as a seventh grader in his junior high band. Finding an instrument to suite him was somewhat of a struggle. He eventually found a mouthpiece on an instrument that fit him, the trumpet.
Hard practice paid off as Verver went on to make the high school concert and marching band. He won many awards throughout his high school career. Award winning was not unusual for Verver. His senior year he received a first place medal at state for his solo and ensemble. He also won a gold medal and the title of best musician/performer in his high school.
Nothing was out of reach for Verver as he made it to SFA to play in the jazz band. Still playing his trumpet, he was a member of the SFA jazz band his freshman through junior year. Verver recently quit the jazz band. He said, “ Practices and stuff really got to me and my time was done, I just needed to concentrate on my fraternity and school.” He said that band is more of a hobby now and not a priority.
Instead of attending practices Verver has more free time. There is more time to study, hang out with the fraternity, play sports, and participate in outdoor activities, says Verver. He enjoys spending his time playing softball, football, golf, and fishing. Just because he is not in the band anymore he still remembers every aspect of it and it will always be a part of him and something that he loves.