As a passionate student of iconic rock and roll bands Led Zeppelin and Foo Fighters, junior Brandon Soriano feels most at home on stage singing and playing his guitar. Soriano’s skills have become fine-tuned by playing guitar no less than two hours a day, performing as often as possible and taking part in the CHS Jazz Band, Guitar Ensemble and CHS’s a cappella group Unstrumental.
Though the time Soriano dedicates to music may seem excessive to an outsider, it does not phase Soriano, for his zeal for music is exponential.
“I really feel like I have a stronger connection with music than anything else in my life,” said Soriano. “No matter how I’m feeling, whether it be happy, sad, bored, excited or angry, music is always there to help me out. I can’t really explain what it is, but it’s almost like I drift off into my own world when I play, and I can express absolutely anything I want without saying a single word.”
Soriano’s relationship with music began when his father introduced him to rock and roll at the age of nine, though Soriano admittedly was not immediately keen on the style of music. Although he grew to love the genre over the subsequent years, Soriano’s dedication to rock in addition to jazz and blues was truly solidified when he joined the CHS music program as a freshman.
“If it hadn’t been for the music program at school, I wouldn’t be anywhere near the caliber of musician I am today,” said Soriano. “Before I joined Jazz freshman year, I didn’t know how to play anything really but basic songs and chord shapes, and now I feel super confident with music theory, note reading, arranging, improvising, soloing, writing and much more.”
For inspiration in writing and playing instruments, Soriano looks to rock legend Dave Grohl, drummer of Nirvana and lead singer of Foo Fighters, for guidance by listening to old interviews online, watching live performances or by simply listening to his music. However, Soriano strives to emulate another musician even more.
“As a musician, I always want to aspire to be exactly like my favorite musician in the world: myself,” said Soriano. “I want to do what I do and be able to do it as myself. Obviously I draw inspiration from other artists and people and aspire to be somewhat like them, but for the most part I want to do what makes me an individual and what makes me happy.”
As for his future in music, Soriano’s ultimate dream is to break into the business as a musician, though other related jobs such as sound engineering and studio work are also on the table.
“Pursuing a career in music is what I really aspire to do more than anything,” said Soriano. “I feel a passion for music and want to keep that with me for the rest of my life.”
