Your legs tremble, breath shaky, and you’re about to go on stage to prove you and your musical talent. You sit behind the music stand looking at your sheet music, the notes are bouncing around on your sheet, your vision is blurry from the stage lights beaming in your face. You close your eyes and think, “What’s gotten me to where I am today?”
Many student musicians may aspire to make it to prestigious orchestras, but few make it past the auditions. It takes determination, talent, and passion, but most of all dedication. NHS sophomore student, Nathen Funderberger, struck the right note, and earned a spot in the highly competitive ‘Indy Youth Orchestra’ and the ‘Indiana All-State Honor Band’.
Fundenberger’s interest in performing with the flute didn’t begin how a musician would typically expect, not even how he expected it.
“I played clarinet for a bit but it just wasn’t clicking, it felt like something was missing,” Fundenberger said. He continued playing clarinet, but he found interest in studying and lending an ear to music in his free time while at home.
“When I started to listen to classical genres, I would hear all these flutes, and I just fell in love with it. I loved how it sounded and it just kind of lit a spark in me from there on out,” Fundenberger said.
Shortly after that he came up with a plan.
“I had this long, hefty talk with the middle school band director and got them to switch me to flute,” Fundenberger said.
It wasn’t until early freshman year when Fundenberger realized he had the potential to start putting his skills to things outside of school, so he decided to try out for an orchestra. He landed on the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra, which features both string and woodwind instruments.
“It’s a hefty audition process, you have to submit five minute videos of multiple pieces. About 800 students in Indiana state audition and only about 80 to 100 get into the ensemble”, Fundenberger said. “And your audition is looked at over by multiple judges before getting either approved or sent away.”
After being in the orchestra for a few months, Fundenberger realized he wanted more. In March 2025, he auditioned for the Indiana All-State Honors Band, and to his surprise he was accepted .
“Fundenberger was selected to the Indiana All-State Honor Band along with 7 other flutes from across the state of Indiana. This incredible honor essentially makes him one of the top 8 flute players in Indiana” stated Jacob Crossley, the NHS band director. Crossley said he is proud of him and views it as a privilege to have Fundenberger as his student.
“Nathan’s humility is what sets him apart. Despite his remarkable talent and accomplishments, he remains grounded, respectful, and eager to help others. He has earned his success through hard work and perseverance, yet he never takes it for granted,” Crossley said.
It’s not just talent that’s gotten Fundenberger here today, you’d be shocked to hear how much time he puts into playing his instrument.
“I’d say I practice the flute every day for about 2-3 hours on average after school,” says Fundenberger
Fundenberger’s free time revolves around playing his flute, reading and practicing sheet music. But he still finds time with his friends and family somewhere in there.
“I make sure I’m practicing efficiently, and planning out what I’m doing specifically to achieve my goals that need to be met by a certain time. You really want to push yourself harder and harder each and every day because you want to be so good, but you have to realize it doesn’t come overnight, and you have to plan out how you want to achieve your dreams,” Fundenberger said.
But you can’t get better and you can’t push yourself if you don’t have struggles
“I like to think the hardest part is staying motivated; it’s so easy to get burnt out,” Fundenberger said.
Fundenberger states The best advice for someone who’s struggling to play an instrument is
“Don’t be afraid to ask people for help. I like to ask my band friends, NHS band directors Eric Thornberry, and Mr. Crossley, and my lesson teachers whenever I have questions,” Fundenberger said.
He says these methods have immensely helped him and advanced his skills within the past years to the point where his peers have noticed.
“He enriches the ensemble not only by being an outstanding musician but also by encouraging his classmates to grow both musically and personally,” Crossley says.
Fundenberger’s talent and personality shows stable expectations and builds hope of others improving. His teachers have a lot of faith in him,
“I admire how passionate and how driven he is. Seeing him inspires me to put more effort into playing music and really give it my all,” sophomore Robin Wenger said.
Fundenberger has big plans for the future. He hopes to go to a college that specializes in music, like the Jacobs School Of Music at Indiana University, or the New England Conservatory Of Music in Boston.
“Nathan possesses the rare combination of natural talent and extraordinary work ethic,” Crossley said. “His discipline, and resilience give him the tools to excel in whatever path he chooses. I have no doubt that he will achieve great success in music.”
