Notes Newsletter Student Spotlight: Graham Rank

Posted on November 7, 2024

Graham Rank plays the tuba in PYCO and PYWE. He is also a Junior at Henrietta Lacks Health and Biosciences High School and studies tuba with Charlie Violett

What first brought you into music? What attracted you to your instrument?

When I was much younger, my family and I had this CD that we would play during our long car rides. It became a special soundtrack to our adventures on the road. Some of the standout tracks that really ignited my passion for music were the “William Tell Overture” by Rossini and “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Strauss. I can still vividly remember those moments spent chatting with my family about the images that the music painted in our minds. For instance, while listening to the lively and energetic sections of the William Tell Overture, we would often imagine thrilling horse races, and during the slower, more melodic parts, we’d picture breathtaking landscapes. As I grew older, my fascination deepened. I began to see music as a unique storytelling format — one that didn’t rely on words to convey its themes and stories. I quickly became enthralled with instrumental music, adding it to my playlists alongside the music that I would normally listen to. When the time would come to pick up music and join a school band, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. My journey into the world of low brass music, particularly the tuba, was influenced by a variety of experiences. One significant factor was the joy I felt witnessing live performances. My family often attended Tuba Christmas in Pioneer Square during the holiday season, where I was captivated by the powerful, often humorous yet undeniably beautiful sounds produced by all those tubas blending together. And who could forget the vibrant sousaphones in the marching bands at the Rose Festival parade? The fun bass lines they played always pulled me in, filling the air with a joyful energy. Growing up surrounded by such rich low brass music truly shaped my decision to embrace the tuba. It’s an instrument that, on the surface, might not seem as glamorous, but I’ve come to discover its deep and resonant beauty beneath its exterior. Music really does have a way of weaving stories, and I feel lucky to be part of that narrative and continue to share those stories with others.

What are you most excited about for this upcoming season?

I am definitely most excited about performing Mahler’s 10th Symphony with PYCO. This piece is such an emotional and deeply moving composition, and I feel truly honored to be a part of it. There’s something undefinable about how the music swells and comes alive throughout the movements, really capturing the inner thoughts and feelings of Gustav Mahler. As we practice the piece, I find myself getting swept away in the emotions of the piece. Each movement tells a story that resonates deeply with me, showcasing the rich canvas of life and emotion that Mahler so brilliantly portrayed throughout his composition. It’s been an incredible experience preparing for this performance, really diving into the music and becoming intimately familiar with every distinction in the piece. Let me tell you, Mahler’s 10th Symphony is nothing short of a masterpiece! I’m genuinely thrilled to share this beautiful work with everyone and can’t wait to bring it to life on stage. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience!

What is your favorite piece of music?

When someone asks me about my favorite piece of music, I can’t help but think of several incredible works that have touched my heart. But if I had to choose, right now, I’d say “Csárdás” (or “Czardas”) by Vittorio Monti. This piece will forever hold a special place in my heart. I was first introduced to this piece when I had newly started playing tuba and watched Øystein Baadsvik’s performance of it. I remember being absolutely in awe about the power the famed musician had on tuba and was instantly pulled in and I’ve adored the piece ever since. This piece is truly remarkable for so many reasons. There are countless interpretations of it, each one uniquely beautiful in its own right. What resonates with me the most is how reflective this piece is of life itself. From start to finish, Monti expertly contrasts the different sections. The beginning features a slow, longing melody that’s brimming with emotion. It’s almost like a free-flowing reflection on love and passion, tinged with bittersweetness. Then, as if waking from a dream, the piece shifts into a lively, rapid section that bursts with energy. It’s fascinating to hear how various talented musicians interpret this part; some play it with the feeling of a lively hoedown, while others take a more elegant, ballroom dance approach. No matter how it’s played, that vibrant spirit remains intact, and it captures a sense of joy that feels almost youthful. The first part evokes a sense of yearning, full of deep emotions, while the allegro section portrays excitement and a playful nature. The piece then circles back to that passionate refrain, but this time, it feels infused with hope, building again to the joyous allegro finale. In my free time, I found a version of Csárdás arranged for the tuba, and I love to play it to gain practice at the beautiful piece but also just for the sheer fun of it. Each time I practice it and listen to others’ interpretations, my appreciation for this piece grows. It’s a beautiful canvas of contrasts, emotions, and stories, and I truly believe it’s an absolute masterpiece.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music?

I spend a lot of my spare time practicing but when I am not practicing, I enjoy going on hikes. Nature and just the outdoor world in general has always interested me, as there are hundreds of places to be explored and beautiful spots to find. I enjoy going on long forestry adventures with friends or even by myself with some music playing over headphones. Being able to go outside and breathe fresh air, explore beyond the written path, and spend time out in nature is an extremely refreshing outlet for me alongside music. Going on hikes and walking has become a large pastime for me that I extremely enjoy.

What are your goals this year? Music or otherwise.

I have quite a few musical goals this year alongside personal growth goals. One of these goals is creating a more organized practice schedule. While it is one thing to practice daily, my goal this year is to organize those practice sessions more strategically. This could look like planning what I am going to run through, in what order, how long I want to spend on each piece, and what I want to focus on all in advance to actually practicing. Overall, my goals this year focus on a lot more organizational techniques that will help me more with precision and fine tuning in all the things I do throughout this year whether it be in music or something else. I’ve started this by creating a folder in my notes app to organize plans I have and details about things that keep me updated on what I’m doing and the most convenient and beneficial ways to go about my days.

Being a musician in both PYCO and PYWE, what are the biggest differences you notice between playing in an orchestra (PYCO) vs a wind band (PYWE)?

Playing with both PYCO and PYWE I get very versatile experiences through many aspects. Depending on the piece, in the orchestra the brass and winds don’t get highlighted as much as they do in the wind ensemble. The orchestra tends to focus in and highlight the music with the strings, of course, however, there are many orchestral pieces where the winds do get highlighted quite a bit. Unlike the wind ensemble, the orchestra has a large string section which produces those great lyrical sounds along with their ability to perform extremely fast and ferocious passages. The orchestra produces a much more string focused and more lyrical timbre while the wind ensemble has a much larger brass-like wind focused timbre. While both ensembles could play the same piece, each would produce its own unique sound. Both ensembles highlight all different instruments in a variety of ways and they both create versatile yet beautifully unique music.

You can see Graham perform with both PYCO and PYSE on November 17 at the Cadenza Series Fall Concert.