Gavin Hardy is good at both the bass and basketball. For a bigger image, watch the video at WFMY.
Our niece teaches orchestra at a middle school in North Carolina. Teaching orchestra is a job she loves, and she has often said she thinks she was born to do it. Sometimes she gets notes from long ago students telling her things like, “I always looked forward to your class. It was the time I felt best in school.”
She encourages students of every ability, and when she sees exceptional talent, she likes to spread the word. Here’s a story about a young bass player.
Maddie Gardner at television station WFMY in Clemmons has the report.
“You might say basketball is like music. The ball hitting the court: resonance. A shoe squeaking against the hardwood: pitch. The perfect shot: crescendo. And then there’s the discipline.
” ‘I think both go hand in hand. You have to be very disciplined to be a musician – same thing with an athlete. You have to practice it. You have to do it when nobody is looking. You have to be able to work hard when nobody is watching you do it.’
“Coach Tommy Witt says 8th grader Gavin Hardy brings a certain harmony to the Clemmons Middle School gym.
” ‘I hope to play at a division one school. My dream is to play in the NBA, but I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work, but I’m willing to put in the work,’ Gavin said. …
” ‘Just keeping the tunnel vision, staying focused, you gotta block out all of the distractions that get in your mind, know what you want and attack it. Strive to be the best,’ he said. …
“For 10 years Gavin’s been on the court. … But playing the National Anthem on his bass was something he’d never done before.
” ‘It’s funny – we want to get people to play the national anthem and I went to [his orchestra teacher] Barbara and said, “Do you think he can play the national anthem in his uniform?” ‘ Witt said.
‘It was just a no brainier; he can do anything,’ Gavin’s orchestra teacher, Barbara Bell said. ‘Whatever he puts his mind to he can do.’ …
” ‘I’ve been listening to classical music ever since I was four. I just like the string family and I like the dark tone of the bass,’ Gavin said.
Gavin says he usually listens to string music to get pumped up for a game but before the team played Winston-Salem Prep he decided he’d be the string music before tip off. …
” ‘He’s always interested in more. He keeps working harder to get to the next level,’ [said Bell]. …
” ‘When your best player is also your hardest worker you have a chance to be really good and that’s what Gavin has done for us,’ [Coach] Witt said.” More here.
Barbara tells me that her student learned the National Anthem on the bass in two days and that the publicity brought him wider attention.
“The National Bass Society has contacted Gavin,” she said in a text. “They want him and they’re offering a playing opportunity. The assistant principal bassist from the Philadelphia Orchestra contacted him. He teaches at Juilliard and he is very interested in helping him. I am beyond excited for him. I was screaming and jumping up and down when he told me.
“The Philadelphia Orchestra bassist loved his playing and was especially excited about his work ethic and attitude. I told Gavin he had to give me tickets to wherever he lands.”
Gavin’s teacher with her twins. All three are string musicians.
It’s impressive to have such talent in more than one area.
Here’s hoping nobody’s enthusiasm spoils him. May he keep his work ethic and great personality!
Yes, from basketball to music! Impressive. Also, so true about the discipline, and this holds true for many aspects of life.
Wish I could have found a better picture of Gavin. The screenshot from the tv show didn’t do him justice. And when it went to twitter, the picture that got shown was my niece and her twins. Need to figure that out.
Thank very much!
Hugs
You are doing such a great job, whether students are gifted or challenged!
nice post!
True story, too!
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