The music department of Wheeling Park is oftentimes, for students not involved in those programs, nothing more than the hall leading to the Performing Arts Center or one of the gymnasiums. But Finn Gilbert, a sophomore at Wheeling Park, is one of several students who would love nothing more than to spend all eight periods in that hall. 

“Even in elementary school, I was a part of the school’s choir, and took music very seriously. In middle school, I participated in musicals whenever I could. My first music teacher in elementary school and middle school choir teacher, Mrs. Leib, helped me learn more about music and develop my passion for it,” said Finn. 

Once he moved to Wheeling, a whole new world of music opened up for him. A teacher who certainly left a strong impact on him is Dr. Day, Triadelphia Middle School’s choir director. Having taken choir both years he attended, Dr. Day got to know him well as both a student and performer. 

“I knew that Finn was a great student from day one. He was devoted to learning and trying new things. He was hesitant at first about his [vocal] range, but quickly realized that he was much more capable than he first thought at singing out of his comfort zone and reaching new heights — literally,” said Day.

In high school, he joined the choir as a freshman at WPHS. In that class, he saw tremendous success, which led to him being in Wheeling Park’s highest available choir, the Young Patriots, as a sophomore this year. 

“Being in the Young Patriots is like a dream come true. I feel so honored to be a part of this amazing group and get to sing and perform with the other talented musicians. To have received the Outstanding Freshman Award last year is amazing, and I am so incredibly grateful and proud of myself for how much I’ve improved,” said Finn. 

His achievements didn’t come as a surprise to choir director Mrs. Greenwood, who was part of the decision-making process for selecting those in the advanced choir.

“He was the perfect candidate to be in the Young Patriots. To be a successful member of that choir, there is a much greater expectation in the level of difficulty of the music that is learned, the sheer amount of music to learn, and conduct needed to represent our school and community well. Sometimes that is a lot to ask of a sophomore   — unless it is a student like Finn who can rise to the challenge and still excel!” said Greenwood. 

This year, he also began participating in Wheeling Park’s Band as an alto saxophone player, seeing a whole different side to what music has to offer. He plays alongside his friend Sean Burns, a flute player in his grade. 

“Now that he’s joined the band, he’s gotten really good, and he’s even better than me at a lot of things. He’s never played an instrument in his life, and he picked up the saxophone so fast,” said Burns. 

Another person who has witnessed Finn’s growth with the saxophone is Field Commander Amy Yahn, who has high hopes for his future in the department and even sees him as a potential Jazz Band performer in the coming years. 

“He joined this year during marching season, and he showed a lot of potential when he started to play. He has grown a lot these past few months, so I’m pretty sure he’s gonna make a great saxophonist. If he can work a little more…he could be first or second chair in the Jazz Band,” said Yahn.

Someone who can speak overall on Finn’s music journey is one of his best friends, sophomore Ben Henderson, who is also a Young Patriot and has done choir with Finn for years.

“I’ve known Finn for a long time. I have seen him go from middle school honor choir to a Young Patriot at Wheeling Park. It has been a long journey; he’s put a lot of hard effort and work into it, and I’m very proud. His sight-reading skills have increased heavily, and overall his musical talent has just gone up and up over the years I have known him,” said Henderson. 

As for the future, Finn knows he wants to pursue something in the music industry, though he isn’t sure what yet. 

“I’m not entirely sure what I’ll do in my future, but I’m sure music will be incorporated in some way. I’ve considered doing things like making music for video games or maybe doing some form of teaching, but I’m not sure. Some goals I have musically are to become more skilled with the saxophone, join the Jazz Band, and eventually compose my own pieces of music,” said Finn.

All that is left to do is to watch him continue to grow, which includes seeing him perform as Pugsley later this school year in the spring musical, “The Addams Family”. It is clear that whatever he chooses to do, it will be done in pursuit of that musical spark he received many years ago, and it will be nothing short of amazing!