Junior Isabel McPherson is no ordinary band student, unless you count being in practically every music group there is as ordinary. She is a member of jazz band, marching band and orchestra. McPherson has played six different instruments over her life, and actively plays four: violin, base, base guitar and baritone.

“I feel like if I didn’t do all [of the instruments], I would go insane,” said McPherson. “I need something to keep me occupied. If I have free time, I feel like I should be doing something.”

In addition to leading the euphonium section in marching band and accompanying the jazz band on bass guitar, McPherson also manages to play the string bass for orchestra and the chordophone, a ukulele-like instrument, whenever she has spare time. Next year, McPherson, despite her already hectic schedule, wishes to add the prestigious title of drum major to her musical resumé.

“If I didn’t have music in my life, I would have not motivation to not suck,” said McPherson.