Heights senior soloists to take the stage

Senior soloist and percussionist Andrew Bell.

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Heights High’s Instrumental Music Department (IMD) presents its Spring Concert Series on the Wiley Campus.

Part I, on Wednesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m., will feature the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and the Concert Orchestra. Part II, on Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., will feature the Symphonic Winds and the Heights High Symphony, with senior soloists Andrew Bell on percussion and William van den Bogert on piano. Both concerts are preceded by Chamber Ensembles at 6:30 p.m.

Andrew Bell began his musical endeavors as a third-grader at Fairfax Elementary School, and has since studied with Chris Vandall and Thomas Haywood at the Fairmount School of Music, and with Fairfax school music teacher Bob Adamson. Since entering high school, Bell has been the principal percussionist in the Symphonic Winds, and head percussionist for the school’s marching band drumline since sophomore year. He has participated in the pit orchestra for three Heights High musicals and has been playing with the school’s jazz department since his sophomore year.

“Andy has developed into a complete percussionist throughout his time at Heights High,” said Heights IMD Director Brett Baker. “He has committed to becoming proficient on timpani, rudimental snare drum, drum set and, as you will see in his senior solo, the mallet instruments including the marimba,”

Bell has both attended and counseled at the Reaching Heights Summer Music Camp—an experience he feels has taught him how to be a better musician and teacher. He has competed at multiple Ohio Music Educators Association Solo and Ensemble competitions, performing both snare and mallet solos. As a member of Tri-M Music Honor Society, Bell has fundraised and played at community events. He often plays the timpani during services at his church. 

When not playing music, Bell works as an auto mechanic at Bryan’s Marathon in Cleveland Heights. He enjoys spending time with his friends on the weekends and playing golf. Next year, he plans to pursue a degree in finance while continuing his love of music.  

William van den Bogert first encountered the piano when he visited his sister’s lesson at age 5. A year later, he began studying piano at Cleveland Institute of Music with Rozetta Kim, his teacher of 11 years. In third grade, he chose the trumpet as his primary instrument and began studying at age 8 with teacher Eric Hasselquist. He would later study with Stephen Chapdelaine as well. He studied music theory and composition with Alissa Shuster and jazz trumpet with Joe Miller at Cleveland State University.

Van den Bogert is the principal trumpet player of the Symphonic Winds. He is a sergeant in the marching band, and performs with the Heights High Symphony and Heights Chamber Ensembles. He has been a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society for two years, and serves as its vice president of finance. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and a former member of the soccer and robotics teams. He enjoys improvising, and owns the Instagram account @minutesoundtracks, devoted to his improvisations on movie soundtracks. After graduation, he plans to study engineering and hopes to attend Columbia University.

According to IMD Director Daniel Heim, "William is a gifted musician with a wide range of skills and an excellent ear, but he also understands being a team player and the value of working in the large group, which has made him an incredibly valuable leader.”