---

49baaf0ed0038 Ruby proves his ability to play other instruments by participating in the drum line. Photo by Heather Herrmann

Photo by Heather Herrmann

Ruby proves his ability to play other instruments by participating in the drum line.

---

Lifelong music preparation rewarded

Ruby excels at league music

Peter Ruby, a junior at Silver Lake High School, recently saw his musical preparation from a young age rewarded.

This honor came in the form of seven "1" ratings at league music where Ruby competed in the trumpet solo, trombone solo, vocal solo, brass trio, percussion ensemble, select choir, men's ensemble, large group in choir, and large group in band. He received "1"s in all but large group in choir and select choir.

Tonya McGough, Ruby's choir teacher, said she believed that he was entitled to all of the praise that came his way.

"He deserves every pat on the back that he gets and all of the ratings that he got," she said. "His accomplishments at league far surpassed anything anyone else has ever done as long as I've been a teacher here."

Sandi Liggatt, Ruby's band director, wasn't shocked at all to hear of his achievements at league.

She said, "He did excellent, and it wasn't very surprising because he tries really hard in everything he does and takes it very seriously."

Most unexpected to Ruby, however, was a "1" that he received in a solo event.

"It was kind of unexpected to get it in my trumpet solo because I haven't even played trumpet for a year. I was just playing trumpet for the fun of it and, if I did terrible, I was just going to drop it and not do it at regionals. I got a '1' so I guess it sounded good enough, and I'll take it to regionals now," he said.

Even though Ruby played his trumpet well enough to get a "1" at league, he has not mastered the instrument like he has his trombone.

"It's funny because he's so awesome at his trombone that, when on the trumpet, he has little issues," Liggatt said, "He gets a little frustrated just because he can't make his trumpet speak like he makes his trombone speak."

Ruby's success at league music wasn't without work.

"I just practiced as much as I could over the summer for my trombone solo that I took to competition. I don't really have a set schedule, though. I should probably get one," he stated.

McGough insists that, although Ruby has an innate ability, his best quality is his commitment.

"Peter does have a lot of natural talent, but the biggest thing is his work ethic," McGough stated. "He asks for extra help if he needs it, and he takes on things that other students wouldn't even think of taking on like writing his own accompaniment for his song at Christmas. He just challenges himself."

Liggatt said she thinks that Ruby picked a very tough trombone solo.

"The trombone solo that he plays is definitely college level, even college junior/senior level for some people. He works all summer on it because it takes a lot of time," Liggatt said. "He practices, takes it seriously, and cares a lot about how well he does. It's something that he wants to excel in, and you can tell that he works hard on it."

Ruby has affected both McGough's choir and Liggatt's band in a positive manner.

---

49baaf0ed0038 Ruby sings tenor for Silver Lake's Select Choir. Photo by Sarah Ables

Photo by Sarah Ables

Ruby sings tenor for Silver Lake's Select Choir.

---

"Peter has been one of the best leaders that I've ever had in choir. He doesn't lead by demanding that people follow him, but he leads by example. He is the best role model as far as how you should act in choir and how you should strive to achieve in choir. He is focused, disciplined, and every choir teacher's dream. I just wish I had more Peter Rubys," McGough said.

"Peter has positively affected the band in many ways, especially since he happens to be our only low brass player. It is very nice that he plays out and is so comfortable and strong in his part," Liggatt said. "He is a very good silent leader, as well, and always does exactly what he is supposed to. Peter is every band director's dream."

Ruby's musical preparation started way before his high school years. Ruby started playing piano when he was only six years old, with his mother providing his inspiration.

Ruby said, "My mom got me into music but, after that, I've been mostly self-motivated."

Ruby's mother taught him with a rather traditional method.

"I just sat down, and my mom told me how to play it," he stated. "I started playing piano, which was my first instrument. I played trombone in fifth grade then learned guitar. I kind of learned some drums and last was the trumpet."

Ruby has learned to play all of these instruments so well that Liggatt said she believes he could play any of them in her band.

"He works really hard on all of them, and he's really good on all of them. He could play any of them if he wanted to in class," Liggatt stated.

Although Ruby likes playing all of these instruments, his first is still his favorite.

"Piano is the most fun because it's so versatile. It is basically free; you can do whatever you want as long as you stay within the boundaries of the cords," he said.

Ruby admitted that the trombone was the most arduous to master.

He stated, "Trombone is the most difficult but I've also learned to play it since I was in fifth grade, so I've had more experience with it than the others."

---

49baaf0ed0038 Ruby waits to start competing at the Kansas Lions Band at Pittsburgh State University. Photo obtained from kansaslions.org

Photo obtained from kansaslions.org

Ruby waits to start competing at the Kansas Lions Band at Pittsburgh State University.

---

Ruby's musical accomplishments also span outside of school. Last summer, Ruby attended Kansas Lion's Band Camp at Pittsburg State University where he auditioned and got accepted into the jazz band.

"It is a camp and is a lot of fun because I got to play with a lot of other kids," he said.

In January, he participated in the Topeka Youth Wind Ensemble at Washburn in which he played his trumpet.

Ruby said, "We auditioned in the fall and the person who was doing the audition was Mr. Averett who's the trumpet professor at Washburn. He seated us according to which chairs we'd sit and play."

Ruby did very well in his audition and was honored by being chosen as the first chair in the ensemble.

"It was kind of cool to be first chair, but there was also a lot of pressure because I was like, 'I'm supposed to be good,'" he stated.

Liggatt was also impressed with Ruby being chosen as the first chair.

"I knew he'd do well but to get first chair is really awesome when you're going up against 5A and 6A schools," she said.

Ruby also received first chair in the Topeka Jazz Workshop, which is currently being held at Washburn University. He is a part of 4-H, and he participated in 4-H Days on Feb. 28 with his piano and trombone.

After high school, Ruby plans on attending Washburn University where he will major in music education. After his schooling, he will go on to become a music teacher.

Liggatt said she agrees with Ruby's ambitions to make music an integral part of his life.

She said, "Peter's talent is just unstoppable that it's amazing. He works so hard, and I wish that I could say that I taught him all that he knows. But he's definitely taken on his own, and he definitely has found his calling. Out of all of the students, you know that Peter is the one that has found music."

Ruby plans to not only make music his career but also what he'd do "for fun."

Ruby said, "I plan on leading worship wherever I go in whatever little church I attend. If not leading worship then I'd at least want to be a part of it."

Ruby said he believes that he has been blessed with a gift and strives to give back.

"A lot of people probably say that it's a lot of practice and hard work, but it's more than that; it's a talent from God," he said. "The main reason why I picked up the guitar was to give glory to God through my worship. It's the least I could do for what he's done for me."

Sub Navigation

Top