Originally published on Instagram and Facebook on Jan. 31, 2026.

Senior Cassie Baker is an avid musician who participates in a variety of music programs inside and outside of Branham.

Baker primarily plays the trombone, but she also plays the bass drum and the euphonium. Her experience across multiple bands has allowed her to gain knowledge of a variety of music types and genres.

“In freshman year, I was in Concert Band, and then sophomore year, I moved up to Symphonic Band,” Baker said. “Then, I auditioned in sophomore year to get into the Wind Ensemble. My junior and senior year, I’ve been in the Wind Ensemble.”

Baker explains that the Wind Ensemble is the highest difficulty band that Branham offers. In addition to Wind Ensemble, she has also done Jazz Band, Marching Band and Winter Percussion.

“I love Marching Band. I’ve been doing that for four years,” Baker said “Winter Percussion is like Marching Band, but you take all the percussion instruments and you put them indoors.”

Baker explained that her love for playing music — especially for brass instruments — runs in her family.

“My dad got his bachelor’s degree at SDSU doing music, and my older brother did trumpet at Branham,” Baker said. “I knew when I was in fourth grade that I wanted to play a brass instrument like my brother.”

Baker was also in the Blue Devils B drum corp group in June, which ended with a performance. The program consists of the strongest teen band performers, with rehearsal lasting 12 hours most days, according to Baker.

“I like to describe it as marching band on steroids,” Baker said.

Baker has been successful in her band career, winning various awards like Most Valuable Visual Performer and Most Valuable Brass Player in marching band. Additionally, the Blue Devils B won the SoCal Championship while she was in the program.

Baker explains that band hasn’t only been a place to learn music, but also a place to meet people who share common interests.

“You go to the same school, maybe take the same classes. You have this shared experience of playing an instrument,” Baker said. “I found a lot of my closest friends through band.”