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Bainbridge High School band seniors Kaitlin Floyd and Brooklyn Willis are excited to announce they will be furthering their music education next year at University of Georgia and Mercer University.

Willis will be attending Mercer University on a music scholarship and majoring in Music Education, where she hopes to one day share her love of music with fifth and sixth grade students.

In order to obtain a music scholarship, Willis had to play all 12 scales, complete a site read and play two pieces.

Floyd will be attending University of Georgia and majoring in Music Therapy, which she describes as occupational or physical therapy that is musically oriented. Her hopes are to open her own private practice one day.

While at UGA, Floyd plans to still be heavily involved with music, beyond her major. She hopes to join the Chamber Choir, as she says she is more vocal-oriented than music oriented.

However, she said she has not ruled out the Georgia Redcoat Marching Band.

Willis also plans to participate in Mercer’s Major Ensemble and in their Woodwind Ensemble.

Both girls said the idea to pursue an occupation in music and be involved in music post high school graduation came naturally to them.

“I’ve always loved music; it’s been a part of my life since birth basically,” Floyd said. “I knew it was something I wanted to do.”

Willis agreed.

“Music has always been a passion of mine,” Willis said.

Their passion for music has only grown since becoming a part of Mr. James Sewell’s band class, and while they are both closing that chapter now and moving on to something new; they are extremely excited.

“I’m just excited to help people with music and show them something so near and dear to my heart,” Floyd said. “I want to put that love to good use.”

Willis also hopes to help people in a different way.

“I’m ready to show kids who don’t know anything about music what it is and help them grow and learn everything about it,” Willis said. “Whenever I was in the fifth grade, I knew in about the second week that music was something I wanted to do.”

Willis and Floyd hope their plans to continue their passion will inspire other band students to look into these degrees as well.

“I want people to know this is practical and doable and you can have a good life doing music,” Floyd said. “It’s very admirable.”