Staff Sgt. Tucker Broadbooks

Senior oboist Daniel Yeum performs with the Marine Band. “To be honest, you have to lose sleep to balance [music and school]. I go to the basement so I don’t wake my parents up, and my practice sessions are usually around 12 a.m. to 2 a.m.”

“The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band—in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation—hosted the final round of their concerto competition for high school musicians on Feb. 15. The biennial event gives the winner an opportunity to perform as a guest soloist with the Marine Band and awards scholarships to the top three finalists. This year, senior oboist Daniel Yeum earned the honor of placing first in the competition.

“I started playing the piano when I was seven, then I started playing the clarinet for about two years. I loved the sound of the oboe, so I switched to the oboe when I was [in] sixth grade and I’ve been playing oboe since then,” Yeum said. “My private teacher is very enthusiastic, I have weekly lessons with him, and he’s very supportive of [me]. I’d also say my parents [are very supportive] because when I have rehearsal, they have to take me there. When I have competitions, [they] take me there and get me an accompanist.”

This strong musical foundation and Yeum’s dedication to the oboe lead to his winning performance at the Marine Band Concerto Competition as he competed against musicians across the country.

“The first round was a video [submission]. They had a repertoire list [and] I chose the Mozart Oboe Concerto,” Yeum said. “I’ve played Mozart for competitions throughout high school, so I was very familiar with [the piece] and I also like Mozart.”

After the first round, six finalists were chosen to compete in a final round performance in the John Philip Sousa Band Hall at the Marine Barracks Annex in Washington, D.C.

“I was very nervous. I’ve competed in many competitions throughout high school, whether it’s regional, state or even national, but this is the biggest one I’ve won,” Yeum said. “I was fortunate to play with a pianist nearby who I’ve worked with for years. Other people came from places like California and Texas, so they had to play with the Marine Band pianist.”

Yeum, as the first-place winner, was also invited to perform with the Marine Band on Feb. 23.

“I had rehearsals on Thursday and Friday, then I had my performance with the Marine Band on Sunday,” Yeum said. “It was their regular veteran concert that day, but the ensemble was smaller. [There were] about 18 people, instead of 80 people. It’s because as a soloist, I have to stand out, so if [there were] 80 people playing, I would be buried in their sound.”

Jefferson’s band director, Steve Ballard, attended Yeum’s performance.

“The Marine Band is extraordinary. You see talent that you can’t even explain [and] plays that just make you laugh, because they’re so ridiculously difficult to pull off [which] they do with ease and flair. Then you add a high school student [who] comes out to play the solo part, the lead part, and in a concerto,” Ballard said. “At times, [Yeum’s] the only sound in the room, sometimes for thirty seconds and everyone else is resting while he’s playing. He presented himself professionally and played incredibly well.”

Yeum hopes that Jefferson students will apply to more musical competitions in the future.

“We’re all busy, but I think music is an important part of our growth,” Yeum said. “So if [there are] any musicians out there, I really advise you to compete and get experience starting freshman year.”