This upcoming 2026 Spring baseball season, sophomore Connor Adams plans to audition for the National Anthem at a Kernels game on his Bari saxophone.
Adams has been playing the saxophone for four years. He’s participated in marching band for the past two years at Kennedy, along with playing in Symphonic Band, Honor Band and Jazz II.
Adams hopes that auditioning for the Kernels will be a way to play music for more than just a high school audience.
“My mom used to take me to Kernel games all the time when I was younger,” Adams said. “I would always be in awe of the people playing the national anthem on an instrument.”
While his short term goal is to open a baseball game, his future plans are a bit bigger. In the future, Adams hopes to become a composer and direct music.
“I want to learn how to be able to compose music. I want to be able to inspire others to pick up an instrument, and fall in love with the aspect of playing,” said Adams. “I want to give others the same love for an instrument like I had in sixth grade when I first started playing the saxophone.”
Adams found his interest in playing the saxophone from many sources of inspiration, some being famous musicians like Ronnie Cuber, an American jazz saxophonist.
“Ronnie Cuber has been one of my biggest inspirations for playing the bari sax along with other amazing saxophonists,” said Adams.“One day I hope to have the same impact like he did,”
Adams has come a long way since the start of his journey playing the saxophone. His passion for music helps him influence other students to learn an instrument, and potentially find a new hobby, or even a future career.
“In sixth grade they’ll have you choose general music, orchestra, or band. It is very important that you choose band,” said Adams.
