Thomas “Adam” Billings
Spring 2012
YOUNG COMPOSER – Thomas “Adam” Billings is a 7th grader at Nooksack Middle School. Adam’s interest in music started when he was very young. When he was 6 he began to play the piano by ear. He would challenge himself to learn a new piece for relatives’ birthdays and then play it for them. Adam started playing clarinet and reading music in 5th grade in an afterschool band class. When he was 12 he joined the North Sound Youth Symphony (NSYS). Adam was not satisfied to just play clarinet and piano. By the time he was 12 ½ he owned and could play B flat clarinet, A clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax, marching quad toms, full drum set, guitar, mandolin, trumpet, and glockenspiel. When Adam turned 13 he started playing oboe in middle school band “because he needed a challenge”. Adam currently is playing oboe and bass clarinet in the NSYS; oboe and glockenspiel in school band; soprano, alto and tenor sax in the Bellingham Youth Jazz band. Adam started writing and arranging music when he was 11. He has arranged many pieces that he has performed in various recitals and school concerts. It is easy to say that Adam can not get his fill of music. He plans to pursue a degree in music, and hopes to someday attend Juilliard. Adam’s life will be filled with music; playing, composing, conducting and simply enjoying the marvelous sounds that fill his senses.