Junior William Carter is known around campus for his excellence in school band, his exploits as a cross country runner, and his overall kind, humble demeanor. Outside of school, Will has been flown out to numerous states to play gigs in big cities including Las Vegas. While he primarily plays guitar in concert, Carter can play five different instruments: guitar, drums, saxophone, piano, and bass.
“Performing and seeing how much people actually like what you do and what you’re doing. If people don’t like you and your show, you can’t do it,” Carter said. “Seeing people enjoy it is the best thing ever.”
Carter’s work ethic in and outside of school is visible to all those around him.
“Will is noticeably a hard-working individual. His character and personality not only boosts himself but everyone around him,” senior Ayden Lapier said. “Not only is he a Jazz artist but he is a student athlete and he still manages to emphasize the meaning of the saying, student comes first.”
Beyond Carter’s commitment to his own blossoming career, he still manages to prioritize his peers and their musical journeys.
“Working with Will has made band a much more fun experience. I take inspiration from him to do great things in music,” junior Antoni Wiechec said.“Working with him in his gigs has really exposed me to the real world of being a traveling musician.”
For Carter, it isn’t always about the work; sometimes, it is about bonding with his peers over their mutual love of music allowing for emotional performances spawned out of developed comradery.
“My favorite memory of Will is when he took me to my first jam session and the emotion on the stage was incredible,” Lapier said. “After we had performed, I kept telling him how much I enjoyed playing on the stage with him.”
Carter’s impact goes further than just his peers, managing to affect music teacher Ryan Kazda who works closely with him.
“It has been really inspiring seeing the passion and enthusiasm from Will: it is incredible for someone his age,” Kazda said. “Music comes from him naturally, it’s just a part of him.”
Overall, Carter’s musical endeavors have greatly impacted him from an early age when he watched his sister similarly pursue music as a rapper, setting the course for his professional career and plans for later in life.
“The band here helps me build my character as a person. The people here help build me as a leader and a personality,” Carter said. “Bus rides to competitions and staying overnight at Iowa really stick out. It’s nice to have fun and not be too serious all the time.”
Already, Carter has managed to travel to multiple states to live his dream, begun to record his own music, and he was even recognized at a Mcdonald’s due to the gigs he plays in Plainfield and the surrounding area, making him a truly inspirational figure in the Plainfield community.
