Coming from a musically inclined family, head drum major senior Morgan Ottesen is able to play instruments ranging from flute to trumpet to guitar.

“I grew up around it. We have so many instruments just lying around,” Ottesen said. “When we have nothing to do, we just pick up something and play it.”

Ottesen plays clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, trumpet, flute, piano, drum set, violin and guitar. However, her favorite instrument is the saxophone.

“I love the tone that it produces, the sound that it makes,” Ottesen said. “It’s really beautiful.”

Ottesen started playing music at a young age.

“We have videos of me playing my brother’s violin when I was three,” Ottesen said. “I was around 6 when I started out with piano and guitar.”

In the future, Ottesen plans to pursue her love for music.

“I would love to join the air force and I’d like to go to Emporia and take music education,” Ottesen said.

Ottesen plays clarinet for the marching band.

“I have to play clarinet for band,” Ottesen said. “But once I started paying sax, I appreciated the beauty of it.”

As head drum major of the marching band, Ottesen assumes many different responsibilities.

“It’s pretty much just like leadership within the band. I’m a member of the band that steps up and leads them throughout the rehearsals and give them commands. We set stuff up for [director Debra] Steiner in the mornings,” Ottesen said. “We’re in charge of getting the band ready.”

Ottesen says she looks up to Steiner and hopes to have similar talents.

“She has pushed me to be the best musician I could be, it took me until this year to realize she was just pushing me to be the best. I appreciate her more than anyone in the whole word,” Ottesen said. “She’s my idol. She has the best talents in the world, caring for kids.”