Austin M. Crouse graduated in 2019 from Shippensburg Area Senior High school. From there he is on his 3rd year of college at the University of Scranton majoring in Political science. Austin has been Tuba since the 5th grade, and all his hard work and dedication has paid off when he found out he was selected to play in 74th Annual Pennsylvania State Intercollegiate Band.
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Austin’s background
Austin started playing the tuba in 5th Grade, at the Intermediate School in Shippensburg. In 5th and 6th grade band was under the direction of Mr. Mark Wilson. Then in 7th & 8th Grade he continued, under the direction of Mrs. Jenifer Enders, as well as playing in the Jazz Band his 8th Grade year.
Progressing into high school, where he was in both Marching Band, and Concert Band for all 4 years of high school under the direction of Mr. Robert Maag. He said he was lucky enough to also play in the “Pit Band” for the “Music Man” musical that was put on during his 11th grade year. His 12th grade year he was elected as President of the Marching Band, as well as one of the appointed Section Leaders for the Low Brass section.
Moving on to college, his freshman year he was just a member of the Concert Band. In the spring of 2020, Austin’s second semester in college was when COVID hit, and he said they were sent home part-way through the semester. Coming back in the fall of 2020, for his 2nd year in college, he joined the Steel Drum Ensemble. Because of COVID though the school administration believed that a large true band would be too dangerous, so he was unable to be in concert band during his entire 2nd Year. Due to this, he was solely in the Steel Drum ensemble during both the Fall of 2020, and the Spring of 2021.
Coming back in the fall of 2021,Austin’s band family was able to once again play in groups, and so he rejoined the Concert Band, as well as joining the Jazz Band, also remaining in the Steel Drum Ensemble.
Looking towards the future
This semester he is taking on the challenge of staying in all 3 of these ensembles and playing with the 74th Annual Pennsylvania State Intercollegiate Band. He plans to attend Law School in the near future.
