By Jadynne Brady

Editor-in-Chief

The Jag

Throughout UMKC, a flute’s delicate notes flitted in and out of the halls and classrooms.  

That music came from Blue Spring South’s junior Alex Saddler, who was invited to perform and be interviewed for NPR’s “From the Top,” a show through NPR that celebrates young musicians. NPR interviews and celebrates those musicians from across the country. 

Saddler had originally learned of the program through the Youth Symphony of Kansas City.  

“They [Youth Symphony] messaged about this opportunity to be on this show, and I thought, I might as well give it a shot,” says Saddler.  

The application process started months in advance, with Saddler sending in videos of himself playing his flute. Once selected, he and about 15 other young musicians from across the country met during bi-weekly zoom calls from August to September. The students met with professionals from the music industry and discussed the challenges of being an artist, among other things. 

In the middle of September, the four students from Missouri came together at UMKC to play their instrument and be interviewed.  

“Along with that, we were also given an assignment to create a personal concert type experience for one specific person.” Saddler says, “So, this lady, who’s a pianist at a church that I play at sometimes, and she always expresses a lot of interest in in hearing me play, so I thought she would enjoy a concert just for her.”

Saddler appreciates the opportunity to be able to perform on a show such as “From the Top.” 

“It means a lot to like be able to show off my talents in such a way,” he says, “And I talk about it a lot on the show, a lot of what drives me is just performance and bringing joy and emotions.”  

Saddler’s band director Ken Hansen says that he is thrilled that Saddler had the chance to be a part of the show. 

“He’s obviously got a great gift, but he works so hard,” he says. “I mean, he’s constantly working on his skill and things like that.”  

Despite his love for it now, Saddler has not always enjoyed music. 

“I really did not like music at all whenever I was in elementary school,” says Saddler, “But we’re forced to do something for at least sixth grade, right? I just chose this [the flute] because nobody else was doing it.”  

Now, he works with his flute every day. 

“I wake up every day before school and I practice an hour before I get here,” he says. “I would say probably minimum, like, two and a half hours a day.” 

And from this hard-working attitude, Hansen sees that more students are following Saddler’s example. 

“The cool thing about Alex right now is that he’s got so many others that want to follow and do some of the same things. So, he’s building a culture of people who want to do those things,” Hansen says.  

Saddler also will be competing in a concerto contest, which will take place in the first week of May. 

The episode aired on January 20, and you can listen to it from the “From the Top” website or wherever you get your podcasts.