Siobhan Bauer: A Musical Senior Year

Music has been an important part of Siobhan Bauer's life since kindergarten. She started with piano, then took up the alto saxophone in fourth grade at .

In fifth and sixth grade she moved on to the tenor and baritone sax, then taught herself to play flute and clarinet. At she played in both the Jazz and Symphonic Band, and continued in Jazz Band when she got to .

Bauer enjoys both jazz and classical music. She is part of , Albany High's popular R&B group, and also plays first chair clarinet in the Winds Across the Bay Youth Orchestra. She prefers classical wind ensemble music.

"Jazz is fun, but I'm more pleased with the product with the big ensemble," she said.

Bauer is also an athlete, active in cross country, track, volleyball and soccer. Her busy schedule hasn't allowed much time for private music instruction. She has taken sax lessons for jazz "a few times" but considers herself largely self-taught.

Her dedication allowed her to move to a leadership position in Jazz Band this year playing alto sax.

"She was the strongest musician to do it," said . The Jazz Band and Jazz Lab attended the 23rd annual Folsom Jazz Festival last weekend and both groups received top marks. Bauer was among a small group of students who received outstanding solo awards.

Athletics and music had an unfortunate encounter this year when Bauer was applying to participate in the prestigious California Band Directors Association High School All-State Honor Band.

The two-part audition tape includes etudes and scales. Bauer had completed recording the etudes to her satisfaction when she injured a finger blocking a goal in a soccer game. Like a pro, she recorded the scales anyway, fighting through excruciating pain.

Turns out her finger was broken. But, of over 1600 musicians trying out, Bauer was one of about 300 accepted. It's a big deal.

The next month will be busy for Bauer, with several opportunities for the public to hear her perform. The first two weekends in February she will be part of a 10-piece on-stage band for the Albany High musical .

Rhythm Bound and the Jazz Band will play at in Jack London Square on Monday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. Both events are an excellent way to appreciate and support the hard work of lots of talented students at AHS. 

With two music classes and the extracurricular Rhythm Bound, Bauer spends about 13 hours a week in rehearsals, and she loves it.

"Music has been an outlet for me. There is a lot of stress in high school and sports. Music is a relaxing thing," she said. "I always look forward to that part of my day. My close friends are in music."