By Alleigh Keyes ’16

Senior Tyler Golsen started his musical journey at the tender age of nine when he first picked up an instrument. He was immediately hooked. With his supportive parents as inspiration to follow his dreams, he played the trombone and drums by the time he was 11. Since then, the multi-talented Golsen has learned how to play bass, guitar, piano, mandolin and ukulele. Although many recognize senior Tyler Golsen as a musician, few know about the depth of his talents.

“I became obsessed with music at the start of high school when I stopped sports and other superfluous activities to really focus on being as good a musician as I could,” Golsen said.

He joined his first band when he was 12 and performed in various bands. In the fall of his junior year, he started his own band known as The X-Rays. “[The X-Rays have] been my personal music outlet since,” he said, and they have performed in various events including Project Change Coffeehouses at the Sandy Spring Museum, Oakdale Emory Coffeehouses and Olney Relay for Life.

As an active member of the school’s music department, Golsen is president of the music honor society, Tri-M. His schedule is filled with music classes including symphonic band and jazz band. He is also in AP Music Theory and believes that it is important to learn the finer aspects of music. Additionally, he has been a part of jazz ensembles, school plays, recording projects and jam sessions. Since freshman year, Golsen has participated in Rock ‘n’ Roll. Currently, this year’s show is his main focus as he is a returning soloist and band member.

Certainly a musician’s musician, Golsen’s numerous talents and passions have been praised from peers and musicians alike. “You can see it on his face, when you bring up music or something he is working on; a cool smile shows up,” said senior and musician Joseph Hunt. “He works hard and inspires a lot of people to do the same. I’m glad I’ve gotten to know him and be inspired by his passion for music.”

Golsen plans to continue with music into college. He hopes to combine music with other aspects of his interests, which deal with numerous forms of media including film making, journalism, plays and musicals.

“Music is what make me happy, more than anything else,” said Golsen.