Music holds a special place in the hearts of many students.

The art form demands discipline and hours of practice, but creates a space for students to throw themselves into something they enjoy.

“Music has been a major out- let, where I could focus and get away from the stress of classes, tests, or drama,” said Ashe Johnson ’26.

Years of rehearsals and late- night practices have fundamentally shaped many Seniors’ experience and their performances have brought joy to the entire community.

For Ashe Johnson ’26, the principal clarinetist of the orchestra, music has offered a break from the pressures of school.

Johnson is a member of the Philharmonic, and became the principal clarinetist their senior year. They plan on majoring in
physics and music performance at Stony Brook University. They said, “Even during stressful times, it has been a major outlet where I could focus and get away from the stress of other classes or tests or drama. Any time I was freaking out backstage before a performance, there was always another musician to encourage me.”

Johnson performed in the Young Artists Concert at Carnegie Hall on January 31, 2026. During this year’s final orchestral concert, Johnson played the opening clarinet solo—a languorous glissando—for George Gershwin’s composition, Rhapsody in Blue.

Bastien Sever ’26 has been a trumpeter with the jazz ensemble Right Brain Logic since his Prep year. He said, “Right Brain Logic is a beautiful pocket of joy, community, and freedom to express myself within the structured academic day. I wanted to sing, to play something I could dance to, to communicate something more honest. A single solo would remind me that how I am, how I feel, and how I express myself is fully up to me.”

Sever is also co-head of student band MB140 and WKIS, the student- led radio station.