One morning, 18-year-old Blake Honaker was sitting in his bedroom in Frisco, Texas, like any other day, until he got an e-mail notification. The notification gave him the news that he was accepted to OU Pride., The University of Oklahoma’s marching band.
“One of the best marching bands in the country,” said Blake. This was easily one of Blake’s happiest and proudest moments.
Being in band was in his blood — his father played trumpet while his mother played the French horn and now is a music teacher. Naturally Blake chose the trumpet as well. With humble beginnings as an equipment manager, Blake quickly became the captain of his high school band.
At first, the musical history in his family was what got him interested in band, but as he went on he realized it wasn’t just his parents who inspired him but music itself. To Blake, music is an important part of his life, “it’s a good way for me to express myself and leave the realm,” Blake explained, speaking about how his music is an escape from regular life Blake said.
His trumpet may have led Blake to OU, but that’s not the only thing he will explore at the university. This summer Blake attended Camp Crimson, a freshman orientation campBefore fall starts he has the bright idea of his future colleagues at OU, where new students learn about their home for the next several years. Blake is arriving as a freshman trumpet player for the OU Pride marching band in the fall.
Blake has been in bands for seven years, which has given him many opportunities. “I made a lot of lifelong friends, and it’s given me a place to belong,” Blake said. He has been to many places with his high school band, including for example Disneyland in Orlando, Fla. He and he had the chance to make many friends in band camp over the summer.
The expectations for Blake are high. Juggling his major in journalism and his love for music will be in a future chapter of Blake’s college life. “Balancing the work isn’t going to be easy,” Blake said. “I can’t cover football games because I’ll be participating in the band.”
