At Carroll County Middle School, eighth grader Mason Roberts is steadily building his musical talents through practice, dedication, and a deep appreciation for the people who have helped him along the way.
Mason, 13, has been surrounded by music for most of his life. He started playing drums when he was just old enough to sit on a drum stool, learning the basics from his dad.
Over the years, those early lessons turned into a passion that now includes both drums and electric guitar. While he splits his time between the two instruments, drums remain his primary focus at school, with guitar serving as a creative outlet at home.
March is recognized as Music In Our Schools Month, making it a fitting time to highlight students like Mason who are developing their skills and passion through school music programs.
That dedication recently paid off when Mason earned a spot in the All-District Band on drums. It required hours of preparation, practicing music both at school and on his own time before auditioning in front of judges. Mason is quick to credit CCMS Band Director Elliott Hawks for encouraging him to try out and helping him prepare.
“It’s really thanks to Mr. Hawks. He was the main reason I did the all district band. He told me about it and got me the music,” Mason said, noting he practiced both at school and home to prepare for the audition.
Mason played multiple instruments in the All-District Band, including bass drum, xylophone and cymbals.
He is equally thankful for the support of CCHS Band Director Eric Allen, who has also played a key role in his growth as a musician. Mason often stays after school for extra help, especially when learning more technical skills like mallet percussion.
In addition to his middle school band experience, Mason has already begun expanding his horizons by practicing with the concert band at Carroll County High School. There, he plays bass drum and crash cymbals for select pieces, gaining valuable experience alongside older musicians. He has also found support from high school students, including a friend who has helped him learn mallet parts needed for more advanced performances.
Mason’s musical interests extend beyond the classroom. At home, he practices guitar for 30 to 45 minutes each day and plays drums whenever he can. His favorite styles on guitar include rock music from bands like Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and Metallica. Though he admits guitar was challenging to learn at first, he stuck with it through online lessons and steady practice.
Music is a family connection as well. His parents introduced him to guitar lessons in elementary school, and his sister plays the saxophone. Occasionally, Mason and his dad will play music together, switching between drums and guitar.
“In my room I have my drum set, four guitars, a tenor drum practice pad and I have a snare practice pad. Practice pads are actual drums so you can practice them without obliterating everyone’s ears,” Mason added.
At school, Mason participates in concert band, pep band, and marching band. He began playing tenor drums, also known as quads, when he became eligible for marching band in eighth grade, adding another layer to his growing skill set.
Despite his accomplishments, Mason remains humble about his abilities.
“I was really excited and super thankful to Mr. Hawks and Mr. Allen for helping me get there,” he said of his All-District achievement.