Published: 4/19/18 The Wellesley Townsman in print and online here.
Ben Yip has had a passion for music his entire life, something that he says will continue on with him as he leaves the high school and moves on to college and beyond. Photo courtesy of Maia Foley.
Four years ago, a Wellesley High School freshman entered the MICCA festival, wide-eyed, ready to play with the high school band. Realizing the seriousness of the competition, he put on his game face and marched forward through the festival and the next four years of band at the high school.
This freshman was Ben Yip, a member of the Class of 2018, an alto saxophone player who has been a member of the award-winning WHS Concert Band all four years of high school and is currently an intensive student.
Having grown up in a family that listened to a variety of music, including jazz, Yip was inclined to pursue music. When given the choice of which instrument to play in fourth grade, he chose the alto sax because he enjoyed its sound. Since then, Yip has focused exclusively on this instrument.
“Putting lots of effort into a piece of music and finally hearing it being played as it was meant to, is euphoric,” Yip said.
In concert band, Yip has worked alongside and earned the respect of his peers and WHS Band Director Steve Scott.
“Ben has always been a positive force,” said Sam McGarey, who has been in concert band with Yip throughout high school. “His dedication to the saxophone really bolsters the altos and completes the band. He’s also a really great guy who helps everyone seamlessly perform through his example.”
Scott has taught Yip throughout high school and considers him a great leader in band. Yip’s dedication to his craft has impressed Scott, who describes Yip as “an extremely positive, can-do student who makes concert band better through his hard work on a daily basis.”
“Ben has always been a student who is ready and willing to lend a hand in rehearsals and concerts to help set up or make sure every student has what they need to have a great performance,” Scott said. “He’s really generous to his bandmates.”
Having grown as a musician, Yip attributes much of his success to Scott.
“Mr. Scott’s enthusiasm has helped fuel my own passion for music. While he teaches the band about music, he is also teaching lessons that are applicable to life outside of music,” Yip said. “Lessons about articulation and accents are an opportunity to practice precision. His reminders to count rests help promote diligence and concentration.”
Yip has also found that music has helped him face challenges by teaching him to remain focused and patient.
“Challenges can range from struggling to practice a difficult piece to not making the cut for a specific ensemble,” Yip said. “The joys are coming together as a community to create music and a wonderful performance. Whether it is outside on the bleachers in or front of a group of judges, sharing the experience of playing music with my peers has brought me endless amounts of joy.”
Through these life lessons and skills, Yip’s band experience has left a lasting mark.
“I think this speaks volumes about what music can do for an individual because I have been able to benefit so much despite playing on a more casual level,” Yip said.
Outside of music, Yip appears reserved, yet he greatly enjoys speaking to others about their passions as he finds each person’s story unique and interesting.
Throughout his experience in band, Yip has enjoyed attending the MICCA festivals, the very place where his seriousness for music was sparked.
“I find the MICCA festivals memorable because they are a chance for the whole band to perform and demonstrate all the effort that we have put into our music,” he said. “MICCA is also a great learning experience that allows individuals, sections, and the entire band to improve.”
Although Yip does not plan to pursue music as his main focus in college, where he hopes to study biomedical engineering, he intends to join a student club to keep music in his life. He also aims to introduce his children to music and hopefully allow them to have as powerful an experience as he has had.
“I would tell them the reward for participating in band or another area of music is worth all the work you put in. Practice is very important, and in order to get all that you can out of the program, you have to put in time in and out of school,” Yip said. “I would tell them to never give up because they did not make a tryout or they find something to be difficult. They should persevere and work towards it instead. There are many people in the music community who want you to succeed and want to help you.” Note: The WHS Concert Band recently won a state Silver Medal at the 2018 Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association festival. Ben Yip’s final appearance with the ensemble will take place at the WHS Spring Band Concert at 7 p.m. May 8 in the Katherine L. Babson Jr. Auditorium, 50 Rice St., Wellesley Hills.