Senior Liam Mylan is no stranger to the music department; his current involvement in both Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble emphasizes his natural talent on the trumpet and vocals. With over 10 years of involvement in different music groups, he has established a permanent name for himself in LHS music history.
Mylan has always had his heart set on two things: singing and playing the trumpet. “I’ve always been involved in elementary, middle, and high school levels of band, chorus, and theater,” Mylan explained. His journey, beginning at West End Elementary School with selecting the trumpet and joining chorus, continued into North Middle School where Mylan was introduced to Select Chorus, and now the high school, where his possibilities seem endless. From Concert Choir to all types of ensembles and theater groups, Mylan was able to get involved. Alongside Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble, Mylan has previously been involved in Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and has landed talented roles in four school musicals.
Mylan’s musical growth over the years has not gone unnoticed, especially by former band teacher Brian White. “I remember Liam standing out on the trumpet right away. I saw he had a big range and was able to play stuff pretty quickly,” White shared. In addition to White being able to hear Mylan on the trumpet, he also got to hear him sing: “I was able to hear [Mylan] audition for Cabaret Night, and I remember him singing and thinking, ‘Wow, he’s not just great at the trumpet, but also an amazing singer.’” Mylan’s success is evident in his New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-County and All-State festival auditions, for both voice and trumpet. “I saw Liam grow from doing NYSSMA level 5 freshman year to level 6, to All-State, and scoring A’s and A+’s,” White summarized.
Mylan shined bright on the John C. Branciforte Auditorium stage in numerous musicals, but his theatrical career with the Drama Club originated in sixth grade. Mylan performed in The Sound of Music, starring as Kurt Von Trapp. From there, he has played a student in Les Misérables (ninth grade), the purser in Anything Goes (grade 10), one of the eleven brothers and sons in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (grade 11), and for his senior year, Mylan is playing Sonny and Teen Angel in Grease. Both his acting and singing reflect his talent throughout his time participating in the musicals. Chorus teacher Barry Wyner recalled, “One moment that made me proud of Liam was his performance of “Those Canaan Days” in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat because it allowed him to show his sense of humor on stage, something I feel only a confident, skilled performer can do.”
On top of Mylan’s musical theater talents, Wyner highlights Mylan’s singing: “Liam is truly one of the most talented and beloved students I’ve had in my whole career. I have observed Liam’s vocal improvements through his vibrato, expanding his upper range, and expressing the emotion of the songs he performs.” Wyner added, “A favorite personal moment with Liam was when we found out he made All-State Chorus [for] the first time. I saw how hard he worked and how much he wanted it.”
Mylan’s name in the music department has vastly grown over the past four years. His expertise on both the trumpet and as a vocalist has inspired many students and his peers. Junior Alexa Rutigliano reflected, “I look up to [Liam] because he’s always been so kind and is such a role model in the singing field. He is such a welcoming person and always has a smile on his face.”
