Achievement through Music
When EFSC Student Darwin Flores took up the clarinet, he never imagined a future where he’d be standing on stage, winning a statewide collegiate competition.
“It was very exciting—a surprise,” said Flores. “I wasn’t expecting it.”
Flores, who moved from Honduras to Florida over two years ago, enrolled in EFSC’s Associate in Arts degree with a focus on Instrumental Music as part of the Performing and Visual Arts program. While only in his second semester, he participated in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Symposium alongside 16 other EFSC students.
The annual Symposium brings together students from Florida’s 28 statewide colleges. This multi-day event includes a large collaborative ensemble, networking opportunities between student musicians and university-level professionals, participation in musical workshops, and a Student Artist Competition
For the competition, Flores selected “Hommage à Richard Strauss” by Béla Kovács—an advanced clarinet piece for the then-freshman music major.
“It’s a very technical piece with very fast passages,” said Flores. “It’s short, exciting, and very fun to play.”
On stage, Flores experienced performance anxiety—which he compared to public speaking anxiety. However, he “powered through it” thanks to a few helpful reminders.
“You get nervous beforehand,” he said. “But once you start playing, it gets easier. When you know you’ve prepared, you can just kind of enjoy the experience.”
His persistence paid off. Flores won the 2026 Student Artist Competition Woodwinds category, receiving a $2,000 scholarship toward completing his music degree.
Community through Music
For Flores, who grew up watching his siblings play instruments, music has always been a form of connection and community. After moving to Florida, he began looking for a way to advance that passion professionally while building relationships with others.
“I always wanted to pursue music. Looking for universities, I came across EFSC’s Performing Arts program,” he said. “The staff has been very helpful and reassuring.”
At EFSC, Flores found opportunities to befriend other student musicians. Events like the annual FCSAA Symposium served as the ultimate collaboration. There, Flores experienced rehearsing and playing alongside students from across the state, creating an instant connection through music.
“At the Symposium, the most fun part is meeting people you don’t know and playing in a band together,” said Flores. “It’s a very intimate experience.”
Looking ahead, Flores plans to finish his Associate in Arts degree at EFSC before transferring to another university to continue his pursuit of music. Though he’s considered various career paths—from orchestral performance to entrepreneurship—he feels pulled in a specific direction.
“I’m leaning towards music education,” he said. “But right now, I’m just getting my homework done, focusing on my classes.”
As Flores looks toward completing his degree in 2027, he envisions a future where his love for music builds bridges that bring people together.
“That’s the most important part of music for me,” said Flores. “The community-building aspect.”
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