Caroline Caveness
Caroline Caveness, who has myriad awards for her musical talent, had to be persuaded into the world of music by her musical family.
“My mom was determined to get me into the music industry, and I am forever glad she did so even though I greatly pushed against it. To expose me to multiple instruments, she would take me to the houses of people who she knew could introduce me to their horns. Whenever we went to the house of an oboist, the player brought her saxophone to show me the instrument that she marched with. I immediately fell in love with the instrument, remembering it as the horn that produced the theme of the ‘Pink Panther.’ I mostly thought it was a cool-looking instrument, and fifth grade me wanted to be unique and stand out — but obviously not enough to play oboe,” she says.
Caroline won the Tennessee Bandmaster’s Association Chamber Music Competition as part of a quartet and was a first place winner in the 2021 Bristol Music Club Scholarship Competition. She was chosen by the Interlochen Arts Camp and the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts. She’s been a featured soloist for her high school band at Dobyns Bennett and been chosen for All East and All Stage Bands. She is in the DB Marching and Wind Ensemble Concert Band and is involved in their saxophone quartet and jazz band.
“I play all of the saxophones, Bari and tenor sax the least. I only play tenor for honor band auditions. I play alto and soprano the most, with alto in concert and jazz band, and soprano in concert and sax ensemble.
“Originally, I picked alto saxophone because I liked the pure idea of playing it. The jazz tone that I was so used to hearing was alluring, so I became attracted to it. I did not know I would eventually be playing classically, but I am so glad I went the classical route. In my opinion, saxophone is the best instrument because it has the ability to sound like and blend with any other instrument: all strings, flute, clarinet, French horn, trombone and more. Saxophones are truly the chameleon of the band, which is why, in my opinion, it is one of the hardest but more rewarding instruments to master.
“Looking back on it, if I had the choice to play another instrument, I would still choose the saxophone.
“I am not as into jazz saxophones as some of my other sax buddies, but sometimes I find myself wanting to dip into that area. Classical saxophone has more of a clear, crisp, dark and round tone quality to it, which can make it all the more ethereal and alluring in solo situations. My style and approach is most definitely old classical. I tend to go with classic repertoire,” she says.
Her primary influence is Thomas Crawford, her late teacher. He taught her the basics and gve her the sound she plays with today. After his death, Stacia Howard became her new teacher. Other influences include Marcel Mule, Indiana University; Brian Utley, Vanderbilt University; and Timothy McAlister, University of Michigan.
“To me, music is a God-given gift. It is an entirely different language that connects humans of all flavors together through the pure emotions produced through music. I have met some of my closest and most understanding friends through music. Music is truly amazing, and I am blessed to have been given this talent and motivation to work hard by God.
“I love the idea of being to convey my own emotions through the music I play or cause others to feel the emotions that the original composer wanted to convey through the music. It is almost as if I can put on an actor’s mask—all the audience can see and hear is my music,” Carolina says.
She plans on going to university for biomedical engineering, where she plans to minor in music and continue to play saxophone. “I plan on joining various ensembles like concert band, big band and sax ensemble. I will continue to be a musician as I grow older. After all, music in an outlet for me,” she says.
When she isn’t in school or working on her music, she enjoys competitive swimming, arts and crafts, learning new activities, listening to music and volunteering at her church.
Caroline is the 17-year-old daughter of Michelle and Bryant Caveness, Kingsport, Tennessee. She is a senior at Dobyns-Bennett High School.
