Super Soloist Sings with Oregon Symphony

Not all celebrity heroes wear capes, but some have hidden talents. For example, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland is an accomplished ballet and tap dancer. Actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays The Hulk in Marvel big-screen adventures, knows how to unicycle. Even Captain America actor Chris Evans has been playing the piano since elementary school.

Then there’s Happy Valley Middle School’s Carver Snodgrass—who doesn’t see himself as anything

close to a superhero, but thanks to recently showing off his own hidden talent on stage at downtown Portland’s storied Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, is quickly becoming a celebrity among classmates, teachers, and community members.

“They’ve all been telling me I did a good job, and my teachers are really interested in finding out more about what they think is a big deal,” the seventh grader calmly explained.

It really is a big deal, and in spite of how humble the talented Snodgrass sounds, his hidden talent is no longer so hidden after the 12-year-old was selected as the only soloist to sing in the Oregon Symphony’s concert: Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton.

“I got an email from my Pacific Youth Choir leader saying she was asked to choose a soloist, and she chose me out of all the boys,” shared Snodgrass. “I was really happy and also kind of surprised.”

But the biggest surprise for the talented middle school musician wasn’t scanning across the largest crowd he’d ever seen as he began singing the “Alice in Wonderland” theme with the symphony booming in front of him. “I was like super nervous,” he admitted, “but when I started the first few words it kind of went away.”

The biggest surprise…and perhaps the biggest thrill…was having his own personalized dressing room before the show. “I couldn’t believe that I got my own room like that, and it was even called the ‘Star Dressing Room’ and it had my name on it!” said a smiling Snodgrass.

Despite the star treatment, Snodgrass says he’s just like most other middle schoolers his age who like to stay busy. Outside of school, he likes to play soccer and baseball, and has even sang the national anthem in front of hundreds of Clackamas Junior Baseball families on opening day. In school, he plays multiple instruments in advanced band while also a member of the HVMS advanced choir, where true to his modest nature, doesn’t always sign up for solos.

“Well I volunteer if there are any spots,” he clarified. “But like in choir right now, I’m already doing a drum part for one of the songs so I didn’t sign up for a solo because I don’t want to take too many spots.”

So what’s next for the humble Heron? While he admits he’d love more opportunities on the big stage, Snodgrass is looking forward to more middle school music opportunities leading into high school and beyond.

“I would definitely continue singing, but playing different instruments might open more doors,” he reasoned.

And based on his amazing performance, here’s hoping those doors are to more Star Dressing Rooms in the future.