We all remember our Kindergarten music days filled with shrieking recorders and triangle chimes, and many of us are still involved in the school orchestra or band, but it’s rare to find someone so passionate about their music as much as junior Charlie Gannon.

Gannon started playing saxophone in the sixth grade, and since then, he’s expanded his horizons to include playing the flute, music camps during the summer, a statewide jazz band, and most notably composing his own music.

“Just about everything I do outside of school involves [music] in some way,” Gannon said.

His musical interests span many genres, and he composes everything from electronic music to movie scores. His personal favorites include the scores from Inception, Interstellar, and Gravity genres. Gannon looks to challenge himself further with aspirations of composing for a full orchestra. 

“Recently I’ve been messing around with composing for a full orchestra, and I was talking to Ms. Englehart about possibly writing a piece and having it be performed at the spring concert,” said Gannon. 

Music gives Gannon an outlet for creativity and release. While playing and performing helps him release energy, he says, composing provides focus and helps him to get his thoughts in order. While practicing used to feel like a chore, it’s now an enjoyable and vital part of his day.