Eliza Minster - Geneseo
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: November 5, 2008
Our Scholastic Arts Spotlight shines on a local high school senior who's the official bugler for the Geneseo chapter of the VFW - but that's just one of a whole list of accomplishments that make Eliza Minster so special.
Sure, she plays the trumpet, but Eliza loves the cello. In fact, she's the principal cellist in the Geneseo High School orchestra. But trumpet is her first love.
"It can be such a beautiful sound, and then you hae the really powerful, big brassy bold, just take over the world," said Eliza with a laugh. "Most people think trumpets are loud and annoying, but there's some beautiful pieces, and it can be so melodic, just like a flute."
Geneseo music teacher Christopher Minges said students like Eliza come along once in a career.
"For one thing, she's versatile," said Minges. "Not only does she play trumpet and cello, she composes as well. She's a role model for others."
"Eliza knows what she wants and she goes and gets it. It's a testament to how hard she tries and it's really something to watch. It's really neat."
Besides her commitment to school music, Eliza plays in the prestigious Rochester Philarmonic Youth Orchestra. She studies at the Eastman School of Music - and she gives back with her work with the Geneseo chapter of the VFW.
"I really love doing it because the people are so appreciative, because it's their loved ones you are playing for," said Eliza.
Eliza plans to go to college to study music performance, composition, and history. It's a grand future playing out one note at a time.
