The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

The Student News Website of Francis Howell North High School.

FHNtoday.com

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Coffey finds outlet for musical passion in the violin

When McKay Coffey was little it was common to see him sneaking around his older brother’s violin. And when he would pluck the strings to see how they sounded, it was also common for his brother to get mad. Ever since those days of childish games, Coffey has had a passion for music and the violin.
“I always looked up to him,” Coffey said. “He quit when he was in eighth grade and I knew I wanted to pick it up.”


When Coffey turned nine, he was given his first violin as a gift from his mother. He signed up for lessons and continued to play.
When he was 10, his family moved here from California. In an attempt to find some sort of musical program to participate in, his mother stumbled across the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra. There, Coffey had his first experience performing in front of a large audience.
“I felt comfortable around people like me,” Coffey said, “around other students who were really good.”
Coffey also has performed solo pieces and worked in small ensembles with other students for various events.
“There is more pressure when it’s just a one-on-one song with me and the audience,” Coffey said. “I like it best when I pull [my violin] out and play just when I feel like it. It makes me feel free.”
Coffey has become so talented at the violin that his friends and family truly enjoy his playing.
“I really appreciate [his playing],” senior Kristen Inman and close friend of Coffey’s said. “When it comes to musical instruments I have no talent but it is really impressive how well he plays.”
The passion and feeling Coffey has for the violin has kept him practicing hard for the past eight years. This fall, however, he will not be joining the County Orchestra due to his recent decision to put down the violin and focus on other things such as school and college.
“It sad to me because he’s so talented,” Inman said. “It’s sad to see him give it up.
Despite this unfortunate event, he plans to continue playing someday, possibly even in college at Brigham Young University.
“I wish I could keep playing but there are other things that are more important to me right now,” Coffey said.

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