A successful year in the USA - Kacper’s story
Kacper is our FLEX finalist (2021/2022) who pursues he’s passion while being on the exchange program - he plays the harp.
Before going to America, I had been attending a music school in Łódź for 11 years, playing the harp. I had participated in many competitions, concerts, scholarships in Poland and abroad. Although, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to play in the US. Before my departure I got a message, that I would be placed in Hoover High School in Des Moines. With no hope I emailed the band teacher in my new school, asking if there’s a harp. I was surprised with the answer - yes! It hasn’t been used for 30 years and it was standing as a decoration for the headmistress’s room.
The school organised individual harp classess for me once in two weeks. I played in three orchestras in Hoover High School, I regularly played in the theater group, in my school band and the nearest middle school’s band. The band room was my second host home, the teacher, Mrs. Fried was my mentor and a dearest friend. My friends from the band became very close to me since the very first day of school.
American high school band is a completely different experience from the one I had in Poland. During the Halloween concert my harp was decorated in spiderweb, during a concert for children I was wearing a Spiderman costume, and during the Christmas concert I performed solo. On graduation, I played the American anthem wearing a toga. I shredded a tear while giving a speech on the Senior concert and saying goodbye to my friends.
Band was my place of my personal growth. During individual classes with Mrs. Maahs I got to know American classical music and a new harp teaching method called ,,Salzedo’’. In November I prepared a presentation for pre-school children about harp. In march I got a maximum score in a High School Musical State Concert, in a top division.
In December, during my visit in a harp factory in Chicago I got a Lyon&Healy diamond, which is usually given to people of extraordinary accomplishments. What is more, I was happy to participate in harp competitions in Iowa State University and the ,,Midwest Harp Festival’’ in Chicago.
In February I qualified for National stage of United States Academic Decathlon, in which my music knowledge was ranked as a fourth highest in the United States. This gave me an opportunity to become a Salutatorian - the second best student in my grade. Thanks to that, I was able to give a speech on the Senior Breakfast.
I also performed with the band and solo on a foundraiser I made for Ukraine - (it’s a different story - we got three media patronages and the school has raised about 2000$ for Ukrainian refugees in Poland
To sum up my musical experience, on May 26 I had the honor to play my first fully solo recital. I played with the band, by myself many times and also in a duet with a harpist of the state orchestra. What’s more, we performed a premiere piece created by my friend, Aidan. It was a magical night, which summed up my musical year. Before the departure to the US I had never thought I would play a solo concert in America, but thanks to FLEX, artistic Hoover High School community in Des Moines and hard work - it came true.
My relationships with band members won’t vanish after we split ways - we will keep in touch and a part of Hoover High Orchestra will live in my heart. As others told me, a part of me will stay in their hearts as well.
I think my journey is a confirmation, that an exchange program doesn’t stand on someone’s way to pursue their passions, even the unusual ones. Being a FLEX finalist gives you an opportunity to see a different world and learn something new. For me, it is an opportunity to explore my passions and pursue my dreams, which wouldn’t be possible without participating in a FLEX program.
