The Triumphs of Jacob Abbott and his Trumpet in Redwood Band

By: Donya Hassanshahi

Jacob Abbott, ’24 is a member of the Redwood band program. Abbott, discusses his band journey alongside his siblings and previous experiences with his instrument, the trumpet.

Jacob Abbott, ’24 is a third year member of the wind ensemble and jazz band at Redwood High School. He is also a participant in FBLA, Choir, and the Ranger Basketball team.

This year marks his seventh year playing the trumpet. Since the age of ten, his musical inclinations towards the trumpet have grown immensely.

Abbott has had the opportunity to participate in band alongside his older and younger brother. During his freshman year over zoom, his older brother was a senior. This school year, Abbott now plays with his younger brother, Joey Abbott.

When performing with Joey, Jacob says that the brotherly-bonding experience is “fun, but he’s annoying at times. I like being better than him; it’s funny.”

He says his inspiration is derived from his older brother, who also played the trumpet. “I wanted to be like him,” says Jacob.

Not only does his older brother continue to influence his work ethic, though Jacob “look[s] to [his] parents as an example because they always motivate me to do my best and get good grades.”

Throughout the season, Jacob says his motivation is prompted by his want of “getting better [and] just playing [his] music perfectly”.

Compared to other band-mates he appears alongside, Jacob says that he is “not as intense as some people are, but I’m a perfectionist, so if I play perfectly it makes me happy.”

Jacob regards the community of fellow musicians and students in a positive light:

“The whole community and making friends, like working together to make a final product that sounds good.”

Jacob Abbott, ’24

Jacob has accommodated his personal schedule to his academic schedule. A typical day begins with seminary at six in the morning to band practice until nine at night.

His pre-first, or zero period, is jazz band at 7:18 A.M. Although band practices are only on Monday’s and Thursday’s from six to nine in the evening, it is dedicated to Saturday competitions.

“In all honesty, I just go to bed really later. I practice, and then I go home and do all my homework,” says Jacob.

As he considers possible career paths, Jacob says that he would like to implement a study of music, either through Jazz Band or classical concert band, when attending college.

His brother, Joey Abbott, ’26 has participated in band since the fifth grade with the trombone.

As it is his first year at Redwood, and a first-year member of the Redwood Band Program, Joey says, “It feels pretty good to play with my brother in band, even though he’s better than me. It makes the experience better because he helped me get more used to band.”

Upon the arising season, Joey says he looks forward to attending and competitions with Jacob so the two can “bully each other and mess around outside of our house”.

Joey says, “He is a role model to me because he is super good at band and I strive to be as good as him.”

Mr. Jordan Ray is the instructor for Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Advanced Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion, and Color Guard at Redwood High School.

Jacob’s three-year involvement with various band courses at Redwood thus far has granted him “a big presence” among his peers. “He is a great reader, a strong section member and leader, and students look up to him due to his work ethic and musicianship,” says Ray.

Ray says he feels that Jacob has grown “into a monster of a player. Jacob has always been a quality player, but in the last year he has improved his range, stamina, and flexibility.”

For the band season, Ray says that he wants “Jacob to be the best he can while having a great time in my program.”

In a general regard, Ray says that his goals for all of his students are to improve and grow, while still having an enjoyable time.

Previously, Jacob and Joey’s older brother was a student of Ray’s. Considering he has taught a long line of musically-inclined siblings, Ray says that he considers himself “very lucky. [He is] fortunate to be a part of this family’s high school life and [he] appreciate[s] their hard work, dedication, and willingness to be great.” 

“Jacob is a great student, but more importantly, Jacob is a great human being. He is well liked by staff and students, and in addition, he is a great musician. I am fortunate to have students like Jacob in the Redwood Band program.”

Mr. Jordan Ray

Tags: artist spotlight, arts, arts & entertainment, arts and entertainment, band, deep dive, Donya Hassanshahi, humans of redwood, performing arts, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, visalia ca