Tony Orth sees future filled with music

Tony Orth, an eighth-grader at Centennial Middle School, already knows what colleges he would like to attend. At the top of his list is Juilliard in New York followed by the University of Texas or Wisconsin. “I want to get a Ph.D. in music theory,” he said. His goals are to play for the Spokane Jazz Band and become a music professor.

Tony, 13, has played the baritone saxophone for four years. He also has played the trumpet. Last year, he attended Spokane Falls Community College’s band camp, which he really enjoyed. “I like playing music because it eases all the problems of life away,” he said, “It kind of puts you in la-la land. It’s cool.”

He says that his grandmother motivates him to keep practicing and playing. She was an award-winning organ player in her college years. This year, Tony was recognized as an outstanding soloist in the Jazz Unlimited Festival at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

He plays for Centennial Middle School’s advanced jazz band. Kyle Bosch, director of bands at the school, said, “To be successful, you not only have to know your part, but you have to be able to listen and adjust to the performers around you. Doing that makes your brain work in a way that is unique to musical performance.”

Tony has noticed the benefits he gets from playing music. “It helps you in school because it works on your memory, and I can remember stuff better so I do better in school.”

Tony will attend Gonzaga Prep next year. “It’s overwhelming but cool,” he said.

Tony also enjoys computer games, watching TV and building things. “I am working on a model plane, and I’m waiting to get the electronics to make it fly.” He’s also built an extensive music collection on his MP3 player, with 200 jazz songs, as well as hip hop, rock, pop and a little bit of country.