Mastering one instrument takes years of practice, but for freshman Elsie Wachter, learning an instrument was only the start.
She can play 39 different instruments, including piano, saxophone, accordion, and ocarina, an ancient wind instrument.
Wachter’s interest in music encompasses performing, composing, and participating in music-based activities at South. Her musical journey began when she was 1 year old. Her mother noticed her perfect pitch and her ability to play a familiar melody on the xylophone by ear, Wachter said. By 4 years old, she began learning piano and took lessons for several years. Her early experiences helped establish her interest in music, according to Wachter.
“My mom heard me playing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ and I could play it by ear after listening to it once,” Wachter said.
She began playing saxophone in fourth grade and gradually added instruments such as guitar, ukulele, melodica, ocarina and accordion, as she got older. There are 39 different types of instruments that Wachter knows how to play, excluding instruments she has tried but does not own. She also plays alto saxophone in Marching Band and participates in Glee Club and De Capo choir, Wachter said.
Despite her busy schedule, she continues to explore music because of her personal connection to it, she said. Wachter’s favorite instrument is the piano because of its versatility, while saxophone is another favorite because she plays it in band, Wachter associates individual musical notes with different colors, a form of synesthesia, which adds another dimension to how she experiences sound, she said.
“I really appreciate music,” Wachter said. “It sounds cool and I can put all the notes together and it makes a cool color.”
Beyond learning and playing instruments, she writes songs and composes music. Wachter wants to pursue music in college, but she does not intend to major in it. She noted how music is a big part of her identity and shapes a lot of her life.
“I have a huge passion for music,” Wachter said. “I really enjoy it so much.”
Elsie finds music everywhere and has arranged many songs, her mom, Jill Wachter explained. She has gotten the opportunity to showcase these works at her concerts and also received first place in the composition contest at the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) in seventh grade for her original arrangement of “Carol of the Bells,” Jill said.
“She arranged her own original arrangement of ‘Carol of the Bells,’ a jazz version of it, and wrote the music for all the different instruments that were in her jazz band that year,” Jill said.
Playing music relaxes her, Jill explained; whenever Elsie has downtime, she will write or play music. Although Elsie has less time now, she enjoys this outlet of creative freedom, Jill said.
“She’s writing music, playing saxophone and piano, and it just brings her and our family joy,” Jill said. “I’m so proud that she found something that she can do forever. It’s something that she can carry with her, enjoy, and play for other people.”