News : VS alum Chelsea Brown is first chair trombone as Wartburg soph

Chelsea Brown, shown here in the 2010 Cabaret, won many honors as a VSHS senior band member.

2010 VSHS graduate Chelsea Brown (center) is first chair trombone player at Wartburg.

As a Vinton-Shellsburg student, Chelsea Brown earned many awards and soloist honors as a trombone player, ending her career as a high school musician by being named an Outstanding Soloist of the 2010 Iowa High School Jazz Championships. Now a sophomore at Wartburg College, Chelsea is the first chair trombone player; she is a member of several bands and ensembles.

"This is my second year at Wartburg College, and I love it," says Chelsea. "I get to be involved in so many different activities and meet many different types of people. I have never met more passionate people. I enjoy getting to work so closely with my professors and meet different people from different backgrounds."

After her first year of being an "Exploring" major, she decided to major in Social Work and minor in Spanish. She is involved in many musical activities on campus, including a student-led jazz band, two different trombone quartets, and Wind Ensemble and the touring band that is traveling to Japan next May.

"I also get to take private lessons with my trombone-playing band instructor," she says. "Getting to play at churches, in concerts, and in practices, has allowed me to realize how lucky I am to get to play with such talented people whom I consider my friends. After the amazing experiences that I have with music, I have found that I never want to give it up. I hope to continue to play for churches or in a small ensemble."

Chelsea chose the trombone while she was a student at VS Middle School. Her band teacher had first suggested playing the trumpet, she recalls.

"However, I wanted to be different than everybody else; I had actually tested higher on a trombone mouthpiece," she recalls. "My mom made me practice everyday and I quickly passed all of the beginners books, with my knowledge of piano coming in handy."

Chelsea said she I liked playing the trombone because it was easy for her and because of the confidence it gave her.

"Although I didn't always practice as much as I should have, I always strived to do my best," she says. "Still, I have continued to improve: I went from being 3rd chair last year to 1st chair this year. I believe that playing the trombone has shaped me into the person I am today. Because of music, I have learned to express my feelings, face my stage fright, never give up, work toward a goal, and be a leader."

We also asked Chelsea some of the questions we have been asking others. Here are her answers:

Q. Best fast food sandwich ever?

A. Subway

Q. What was your first job?

A. Detassling.

Q. One place in the world you really, really wish you could visit?

A. Hawaii or Africa

Q. First pet you remember?

A. My cat Snoopy- she is still around and is now very round.

Q. What is your favorite big word?

A. teleportation

Q. Tell us about one of your pet peeves?

A. When people judge others or talk badly about others without understanding the situation. Example: poverty.

Q. What book or author you have not read, but should?

A. The Help

Q. What happens to the missing socks in the laundry?

A. Confused college boys that don't know how to do laundry end up with them.

Q. Iowa or Iowa State (or other)?

A. All three: UNI, ISU, and Iowa

Q. Worst TV show ever?

A. Reality television

Q. Best TV show ever?

A. Chuck.

Q. What is your dream car?

A. Toyota Rav4

Q. Name your favorite:

Comic strip: Peanuts

Candy bar: Dark chocolate

Ice cream: Mint chocolate Chip or Raspberry Truffle

Color: Purple

Actor/actress: Harrison Ford

Song: Anything by Taylor Swift

Planet: Pluto, and yes, I still consider it a planet.