Peyton Chesney, never wanted to do band let alone flute,

“I wasn’t challenged enough in seventh grade, so I considered quitting,” Chesney said. 

Turns out it was one of the best decisions of her life.

At West Lake Middle School, Peyton started out in the beginning band every sixth grader has to do. In seventh grade, she made the Philharmonic non-varsity band.

”I was way ahead in my class,” Chesney said. “I was way ahead of everyone. I was set to be in the top band.” 

She was bored and felt like she wasn’t being challenged, until she met clinician Cary Faulkner. 

“I had a teacher named Mrs. Faulkner, who really helped me,” Chesney said. “She did master classes for us in seventh and eighth grade and she just pulled us out of class to work on, like solos, region music. Really, anything we needed help with. And she was a great help.” 

Faulkner made Chesney feel seen, heard and, most of all, like she was improving more than she ever had.

“She’s always been, like, really supportive of me,” Chesney said. 

Chesney’s eighth grade year really turned out to be one of the best years for her. Not only was she on wind ensemble, the highest band at West Lake, she also made the varsity marching band at Kingwood Park. 

“Mrs. Faulkner reached out to me before my freshman year started and asked me if I had gotten my music for this school year, she also asked me what band I was in and congratulated me when I told her I made varsity,” Chesney said.