The Music Man: TJ Ganser

By Courtney Whiting - 11/08

NEIRAD enilno edition

When I first sat down with junior TJ Ganser, I thought we would spend most of our time talking about athletics and the wilderness because for the past several years, TJ and I have spent seven weeks down the lake from each other at summer camp in the woods of Bridgton, Maine. Of course this is a topic on which we shared many stories, but there was something else I discovered about my camp friend: his passion for music. “I think people see that I played football and I’m a more sport-oriented person when really I just enjoy being in the presence of music.”

Although TJ is really into music, he still has that more well-known athletic side. Last spring junior, Connor McCarthy convinced TJ to tryout for the high school rugby team, a request that led TJ to find his all-time favorite sport. TJ describes rugby as similar to football, but with a faster pace and no layers of padding for protection. There is often no hatred towards the opposing team because it is standard practice for the teams to hang out after the game. Fellow Rugby player senior Kevin Ramsey explains how influential TJ is in the sport, “TJ is always really positive during practices and games – he often leads stretches and communicates really well to the newer players.” Rugby is about having a good time, and it does not matter whether you win or lose, so long as you play your heart out. This is how TJ wishes other sports were played: with the objective to do one’s best and enjoy the game no matter the outcome.

TJ's Top 5 Rugby Teams

South Africa
New Zealand
Britain
Scotland
Australia

But back to the musical aspect of TJ’s life. This tuneful dimension was added to TJ’s résumé when he began participating in a singing group in eighth grade at his former private school, King Low Heywood Thomas. Along with singing, TJ used to play the French horn and is currently picking it up again, as well as teaching himself the piano. But as far as music goes, singing is where he found his place.

When TJ first entered the DHS halls as a freshman, he was coming from private school with few acquaintances in the Darien Public School System. In eighth grade, TJ starred as Charlie Brown in KLHT’s production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.” This was his first real production, and yet he still scored the main role. That experience inspired TJ’s choice to join Theater 308 at the end of his freshman year. The reason for this delay was that in coming to a new school, TJ said he was “searching around to find where I would fit.” Well, he sure seems to have found it in Theater 308 and DHS’s Tudor singers. Senior Harriett Jacobs who is currently part of both those niches in Darien High School says that, “TJ is a very dedicated musician and actor.” She’s really enjoyed working with him in various musicals and tudor’s performances and exclaims, “He’s been a great addition, we all love his constant energy!”

TJ started Theatre 308 in full swing during his sophomore year and has never looked back. He says his favorite part of theater is “being able to create my own persona, someone that isn’t me.” TJ enjoys being able to see life through someone else’s eyes and connecting with his fellow actors on an emotional level.

TJ enjoys that same aspect in singing. This year he joined the Tudor Singers and just can’t get enough. TJ claims that even when he goes home he sings while doing his homework, and will attempt to harmonize or create his own parts. He feels like Tudors is the perfect environment for him to develop as a singer because everything is very positive and productive, and because they are all so comfortable with each other. Everyone who is there wants to be there. But TJ still said, “When I got to Tudors, I knew I had to work.” This work has seemed to pay off, even though he’s still learning, but he feels it’s so nice to be able to go to school and look forward to making music with some of his favorite people who are also some of the best singers in the high school.

“At the end of the day, you’re focusing on creating notes with others.” Smiling to himself, he concluded by saying, “I am right where I want to be.”