Most people would agree that music is an enjoyable form of art, but three De Soto High School students are taking their love of music to the next level.

Senior Blake Merckling’s love of music extends from playing music to listening to it. Merckling plays the guitar, piano, bass and harmonica, with the former two being his favorite go-to instruments.

“I’ve been playing piano since I was 11,” Merckling said. “It was the first instrument I picked up.”

Merckling got into music when he was around 10. Originally, he wanted to learn the guitar, but he heard that piano is the easiest way to learn music theory and ended up taking a year of lessons in piano before a year of guitar lessons.

Merckling says that his love of music has helped him as  a person.

“I’ve always really loved the way that you can describe yourself through music without really having to say much, because you can describe all these feelings and emotions with sounds,” Merckling said. “You don’t have to be direct with it.”

Merckling is currently in Jazz Band and has participated in Marching Band for two years, along with taking History of Rock and Roll, and he wishes to continue his love of music in the future.

“I absolutely want to continue,” Merckling said. “I think music is something I’ll always do and I definitely think that after high school, one of the main things I want to do is get more into sound production. I really want to get into sound engineering after high school and experiment with sounds.”

Sophomore Ethan Pablos’ biggest passion is music. He says that music makes him feel expressive.

“A lot of different genres can make you feel different, but honestly genres don’t make a difference,” Pablos said. “It all depends on where it comes from.”

Pablos said that music’s forms of expression can be used for political statements and other topics of discussion.

Before moving to Kansas., Pablos was involved in a garage band with his friends in Long Beach, California. Now, he continues his love of music by listening to it more than the average listener would.

In addition to music being expressive, Pablos believes that it helps people and “brings people together.”

Senior Carly Newhouse also plays the guitar and has a profound love of music.

“My dad has always played guitar, and, ever since I was little, he’s been trying to get me to play,” Newhouse said. “I’ve always picked it up and it gets frustrating and then I put it down.”

Newhouse eventually received a ukulele from her dad and learned to play. Getting a ukulele inspired her guitar playing, as she said “if i’m going to learn to play this, I might as well just play the guitar.”

Newhouse took guitar playing more seriously this summer.

“I just kind of started sitting down every day and playing it,” Newhouse said. “I learned something new every day and I’ve improved so much.”