Meet Ridgefield High Schools Music Student of the Month: Paul Hickey

This March, Paul Hickey is Ridgefield High School’s Music Student of the Month.

This student is more than well deserving of this award and deserves much recognition for all he has done through the years. Pauls’s leadership amongst his peers in and out of the classroom has impacted many people, and his contribution to the music program is incredible.

The senior began his love for music when he was just in middle school, trying out the drums and rehearsing with friends. Soon, the musician joined the School of Rock music program in Ridgefield. “School of Rock Ridgefield's House Band plays regularly at events in Ridgefield
and surrounding towns,” explained Paul.

Paul Hickey's roles in the RHS music department have varied, including the percussion class assistant section leader and pep band percussion section leader. Paul explained that although those are his official titles, he considers his role to be something else. “My role is more like percussion handyman and mentor,” stated the senior. “I know how to play/adjust/maintain pretty much every percussion instrument we use, and I help out students (and Mr. Beratis every once in a while) with general percussion technique.” Paul plays percussion and the drum set at RHS, but outside of school he even plays bass guitar. “I love being able to play with so many ensembles throughout the year because they challenge my abilities and help me to meet new people. My most recent challenge has been playing percussion in the pit orchestra for the school musical Into the Woods,” the musician commented.

As said, Paul has been playing in the pit orchestra for quite some time, a part of the live orchestra during school plays. Being able to play for 2-3 hours at a time is quite an accomplishment, and very tricky. Outside of school, the musician enjoys having fun with friends and playing music. His accomplishments don't just fall under the music category either, as he won 3rd place in the 2022 American Math Competition.

As the senior prepares for his final concerts alongside helping the new percussionists, he is preparing for his future as well. Paul is planning on continuing to be in a pep band and to keep playing drum set and bass while in college, and wants to study Electrical and Computer
Engineering. He hopes to be somewhere with a good music program.

"Paul Hickey is most deserving of being Student of the Month. Paul is one of those people that you can rely on and trust not only as a musician, but as a person as well. Paul is an elite percussionist, excellent performer and one of the all-around nicest people you will ever meet,” commented band director George Beratis. “He has stepped up to change and evolve our percussion program and I couldn't be more proud of him."

The music program wishes Paul Hickey the very best for his future and hopes to have made his years here at Ridgefield High School meaningful.

For more information, visit ridgefieldhsmusic.org and ridgefieldmusicparents.org.