Musically-Talented MacKay Excels in Computers and the Perfect Pitch

John MacKay has the ability to solve computer problems, and he also has a gift for music. These are two of the attributes that won him the nomination to be Peters Patch Whiz Kid of the week.

The son of John and Suzanne MacKay, he is a senior at , planning to enter academic and music studies at either the State University of New York - Fredonia or Slippery Rock University. MacKay and his family, including an older sister, two younger brothers and two younger sisters, moved to Peters Township while he was in the seventh grade. He has been a part of the Peters Township Band since that time.

His primary instrument is the euphonium, which he began playing in fifth grade after prior practice of the trumpet. By his sophomore year, it became his favorite instrument. He currently studies privately with Ross Cohen, who is a second baritone player with the River City Brass.

The gift of having perfect pitch — the ability to hear and sing a given note — helped him greatly during his college auditions.

His skill on the computer provided him the opportunity to work with Apple, where he has worked with their MAC and IOS programs, and has tested betas.

At Peters Township High School, MacKay plays in the marching band, concert band, the wind ensemble and the jazz band, where he often serves as student conductor. He has played in the orchestra and the pit orchestra, where he plays the upright bass. He is also a member of the computer club.

MacKay took the time to talk about his activities and future career plans us.

Patch: Before we get into music, tell us more about your work with computers.

MacKay: The (Apple) program allows me to test some of the programs, before they go into the market, to be sure that the general public gets a bug-free program. It’s actually a program that you sign up for, and whenever they release something we test the system before it’s released. I guess I’m also my family’s technical support person when my dad’s not around, because sometimes the computers will go haywire.

Patch: What type of music do you enjoy most?

MacKay: Really all types. I do enjoy orchestra, and listening to classical music. Sometimes we get to play a lot of the band literature of some of the great composers like Gustav Holst and (Ralph Vaughan) Williams.

Patch: Holst and Williams always wrote such great, technically-challenging parts for lower brass. Do you enjoy other English composers’ works?

MacKay: I had the chance to play some music by Gordon Jacob at district band a few months ago. Dr. Jason Worzbyt from Indiana University of Pennsylvania was guest conductor and we played Jacob’s music, and a third favorite composer was added for me.

Patch: Are you planning to teach music or do you want to perform?

MacKay: I’ve shadowed the music programs in the elementary schools, but I’d really like to teach in the high school or college level. I can help those already trained by exposing them to higher levels of music, and help them learn in depth what a musician really is. Some of the colleges I looked at had an emphasis on performance, but the two I’m now considering where I’ve been accepted to give you that extra step to help you to go into the classroom from day one and teach. For music education majors, you have to know what it’s like to be a musician.

Patch: Do you still want to perform?

MacKay: It’s not what I’m looking for right now, but if opportunities arise I won’t turn them down. My main goal is to take my experiences in the classroom and help those students to go where I’ve gone.

We congratulate MacKay and wish him the best of luck. Do you know of an amazing child or teen? Read how to submit your Whiz Kid nomination .