KORI DIAMOND, Senior
BLYTHEWOOD-- African drums placed in front of a curly haired, freckle faced young boy with the freedom to play around until his heart desired. After messing with the thumps and bumps of the drums, second grader Colin Smith developed an interest in percussion and after further exploration, has manifested it into a passion, talent, and lifestyle.
Now a senior at Blythewood High School, Smith is an accomplished percussionist, caring friend, and loving son.
Life as a percussionist
Smith currently partakes in the Percussion, Steel Band, and African West Drum and Dance ensembles at Blythewood High School.
“As an eighth grader he started in the marching band front ensemble and continued for the other four years high school,” director of Percussion and World Music at Blythewood Jonathan Burbank said.
Additionally, outside of the halls of Bengal Nation, Smith plays percussion for the South Carolina Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sonrise Band at his church, Trinity United Methodist. He has also received the honor of playing for the South Carolina All State Band.
“Band is life and sometimes it is hard to do stuff outside of that with everything I’m involved in but I do partake in normal stuff people do after school like watch tv, relax,” Smith said. “But other than that I love music to where it takes up many of the activities I do.”
The caring companion
Smith’s involvement in so many ensembles allows him to meet new people from across Richland Two and even the State of South Carolina.
“In the South Carolina Youth Orchestra, a bunch of high schoolers from across the state come together and play orchestral music,” Smith continued.
Some of his closer friendships have begun through participating in bands as he developed his percussion skills.
“I have known Colin for about seven years now from when we started 7th grade band together and his best quality is his musicianship and us getting to play together,” senior Justin Harrison said.
Senior Bryson Covert has known Smith for the past six years outside of band and sees his talents beyond percussion too.
“The level of friendship he has for people when he gets to know them and his dedication to making people happy are some of his best qualities,” Covert said.
In addition to his friends, Smith’s caring, determined spirit is noted by his instructors too.
“Colin is a great leader, it is not just his musician qualities that make him a great person and student but also his social skills where how he can stand in front of a room and be the example for his peers, not because he tells them what to do but just doing the right thing which is something people will follow every time,” Burbank added. “I’ve seen Colin grow into an incredible leader and he is a great kid.”
A loving son and his life ahead
Even beyond his outstanding percussion skills and caring personality, Smith has matured before the eyes of his parents, Art and Debbi Smith, as he continues to be their loving son.
“You can see the difference from being a parent as your child grows from adolescence to early adulthood. It’s a very rewarding quality when your son chooses to do the right things,” Art said.
“I have even told him within the past year or so it’s been the most fun because the conversations we have are most grownup and there’s communication back and forth. They’re very interesting and you still learn more about him everyday even though he is an adult persay,” Debbi added.
Smith has already accomplished so many valued aspects in his life however, as his parents, there is one thing they would like to see him truly fulfill.
“Whatever he chooses to do in life I want him to be happy. I want it to be something he does for his own happiness and fulfills him not because it is something we want,” Mrs. Smith said.
In addition, as Smith transitions into adulthood, his parents would like to see him accomplish a different aspect in his career.
“To also be successful in what he chooses to do in life and that it is something he enjoys because he will have to do it for a long, long time,” Mr. Smith continued. “Once he does that everything else will fall into place and hopefully he will find another caring person to match his qualities.”
