Dual Enrolled Student Receives Multiple Scholarship Offers

"Why then, the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open," said Pistol in Shakespeare’s ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor.’

Thomas Banks isn’t opening his oyster with a sword. A guitar pick is the tool he is using to reach his life’s dreams.

A musically-talented senior at Pinecrest, Banks recently found himself in the enviable position of being forced to decide between two top-notch universities and one conservatory, all of which offered him very attractive scholarship packages. His choices were Vanderbilt University, the University of South Carolina, and the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He auditioned and took music exams at each of the colleges.

Banks is the son of Thomas and Wanda Banks of Southern Pines. He began taking piano lessons as a child. His instructors were Ametia Rose and Dorothy McDonald.

He began playing the guitar about three years ago and has taken lessons for two. “I was playing just for fun until I learned to play “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams,” said Banks. “I wanted to learn more and began private lessons with Danny Infantino.”

After studying with Infantino, a professor of music at Sandhills Community College, Banks enrolled in classes at the college through the Dual Enrolment program. It was during his classes at Sandhills that he discovered his passions deepening for the guitar.

“Thomas is a remarkable student,” Infantino continued. “He has enormous talent for one so young. We don’t normally see someone his age in our music programs, but he has risen to the challenge.”

Banks will be able to enter college with nine college courses already under his belt. There are several programs that enable high school students to take college courses while still in high school. Most of the courses are transferrable to colleges and universities.

Some of the college classes are offered on high school campuses and are taught by college instructors. Students can also take classes on the Sandhills campus, or take online or hybrid classes. The new Learn and Earn Online Program allows high school students to enroll in selected college courses via the Internet in a monitored high school computer lab.

To learn more about programs for high school students, the Sandhills Community College web site (www.sandhills.edu) contains information, or contact Lauren Holland at 695-3713 or hollandl@sandhills.edu.

Sandhills Community College offers an Associate in Arts in Fine Arts in Music and Music Education. Most who receive this degree transfer to universities and major in music. Many have become music teachers and performers. Others enter the retail music field. Some Sandhills Community College graduates have entered the recording and music production field.

Banks will perform with the Guitar Ensemble during the annual Spring Concert that will be on Monday, May 4. This free concert will begin at 7:30 in Owens Auditorium and the public is invited.

He will also perform at his Spring Recital on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 pm in 125 Wellard Hall.

Classical guitar music isn’t the only type of music Banks enjoys. His favorite contemporary bands are This Providence, Jack's Mannequin, John Mayer, and the Avett Brothers.

Which college did Banks choose? Baxter Clement has also given Banks several lessons. “I've taken a few lessons from him to work on some electric guitar techniques,” said Banks. “He is an alumni of the guitar program at Vanderbilt and has answered many of my questions. I plan to follow in his steps and attend Vanderbilt.”

For Thomas Banks, the world is indeed his oyster. All opportunities and possibilities of life are before him. His talent and determination can lead him to many places and will allow him to experience life to its fullest. Wherever he goes and whatever he accomplishes, Banks will prove once again that from Sandhills Community College, students can go anywhere.

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