Houston Band Foundation Scholarship Award

Houston Band Foundation Scholarship Award

            The Houston Band Foundation gives a scholarship each year to a Houston Band member in appreciation for their work as a member of the Houston High School Band.  The recipient of the second annual Houston Band Foundation Scholarship is Abby Lindquester.  Abby was a trumpet player in both the Jazz Band and the Wind Ensemble.  Abby also served as a Drum Major for the band.  In addition, she was a member of the Memphis Youth Symphony on violin.  Having graduated in the top 5 percent of her class this year, Abby Linquester received scholarship offers from Furman and Rhodes before choosing an offer from Mississippi State University.  She will play in the Famous Maroon Band while at Mississippi State.

            I was also fortunate enough to teach both of Abby’s older brothers, Will and Eric, and also taught with Abby’s mom here at Houston.  The entire family dynamic is (to the outside world, anyway) both loving and considerate.  They help each other and still find time and energy to help others, most notably The Houston Band.  I have known Abby since she was in elementary school.  I was aware that she was quite an accomplished violin player when she went to Houston Middle.  She had hoped to pursue a path like so many others had whereby she would be in band but continue studying violin and participate in All West ensembles.  When GMSD established an orchestra program, their director decided not to allow band kids to audition on a string instrument for All West.  At that point, Abby’s decision was pretty clear-cut.  She could be in band and miss out on many orchestra opportunities, or she could quit band to play violin.  I don’t know how hard the decision was, I am just ecstatic that she chose to continue with band. 

            The qualities that make Abby an asset are ones that all band members should aspire to.  She is dedicated and hard working.  She has a proper sense of right and wrong and models that behavior proudly.  She may be quiet but you would be wrong to confuse her calmness with lack of resolve.  You don’t accomplish all that she has without being hard-nosed about the details.  Abby Lindquester is also sweet and caring, two qualities that seem in direct opposition with the qualities most people use these days to get ahead.  I am betting that Abby will do just fine with this set of traits.  The Houston Band has been blessed to have her as a member for the past four years and the Band Foundation is proud to have her as our 2018 scholarship recipient.