By Daisy Morales, Staff Writer
According to Oxford Languages, music is defined as “instrumental sounds combined in a way to produce beauty of form.” Many students have played an instrument at some point in their life. Yet, not everyone has the determination and perseverance to continue.
Fascinated by the intriguing qualities of music, junior Delaney Hanf is one such musician who has sought to continue her passion.
“Delaney is like the perfect strings student because she’s focused and she’s smart,” orchestra director John Buford said. “She’s got high standards, and she doesn’t get frustrated. She just keeps at it till she accomplishes her goals.”
Hanf’s love for music has had many inspirations, including from her own family.
As a child, she grew up with a somewhat musical family. Both her parents played an instrument in high school; her mom played the flute and her dad played the clarinet. Although they don’t play much anymore, Hanf acknowledges that her passion for music came from them and from being involved in church musicals.
But her real music story started in fifth grade in Winston-Salem.
“My dad took me to an electric violin concert at Reynolds High School. And then we moved here to the beach,” Hanf said. “(Here), there was an opportunity for fourth- and fifth-graders and so my parents signed me up for it, and there I was learning how to play the violin.”
Hanf described the process of learning to play the violin as an arduous one, saying that it was no easy task. Her teacher harped on learning how to properly hold the violin before they could even hold a bow or start playing.
“Out of the four or five of those that were in that class, I’m the only one that stuck with it, because it’s tricky,” Hanf said.
While Hanf continued with the Dare County Youth Orchestra program throughout her middle school years, little did she know that in high school, her life would take a more musical twist.
Her brother, Logan, played saxophone in the marching band and jazz band, and he encouraged her to learn how to play the bass guitar so she also could join the marching band. The siblings enjoyed two years together on the football field and the concert stage before he graduated last year, but Delaney remains part of both programs.
“As I’ve played more and expanded my interest in music, I’ve really grown in my appreciation,” Hanf said. “I mean, I’m not into music theory, so I can’t pick apart these songs, but I have a better understanding of what I like and what it means to me than I did when I was younger.”
Hanf further explained how music has become a part of who she is.
“I love just being able to practice on my own and just try out new stuff and see if it works and then we get to the end of the piece,” Hanf said. “You just always feel so happy that you made it there.”
Through band and orchestra, Hanf has met some of her best friends, including sophomore Heath Miller, who described Hanf as a caring friend and as someone who puts others’ needs above hers.
“Sitting next to her, just sitting next to somebody better, let’s you hear how their tone quality is, it lets you pick up a few things without them (saying it) directly,” Miller said. “(She is) very adventurous in what kind of pieces she plays and she’ll kind of just find stuff and just start playing it.”
Although playing two instruments at the same time can be strenuous, Hanf doesn’t let any barrier stop her when it comes to learning new songs both on her violin and on her bass guitar.
Band teacher Robert Lamberg mentioned that diligent students are not so easy to find, and that’s why one of Hanf’s strongest attributes includes practicing a lot and putting forth both time and effort.
“For me, an essential quality for any student is to try. Delaney excels at this. Sometimes she’ll look at me like, ‘OK, Mr. Lamberg,’ but she always puts in the effort to try,” Lamberg said.
Buford echoed similar thoughts: “She’s always focused. She’s always giving it her best and she’s always willing to be a part of the solution and part of the team work that we do.”
Hanf has come a long way from playing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in elementary school. She took part in the backstage of the musical “All Together Now!” and will be helping with the upcoming play. She also swims for the Nighthawks and the YMCA club team. Nevertheless, her perseverance when it comes to music continues. She loves the fact that in music there are no boundaries.
“You can just sit down and play any song,” Hanf said. “If you try hard enough and you dedicate yourself to learning it, you have the freedom to play everything.”
Junior Daisy Morales can be reached at 23moralesda04@daretolearn.org.
