Senior Profile: Henry Metz '24

           When the percussion set is on the School Meeting stage, every Lawrentian knows to look forward to Henry Metz ’24 playing an electric beat. With many crucial experiences at Lawrenceville, including being a member of the “Covid-19 class,” the Dickinson House, and The Disciples, Metz has explored many interests throughout his time at Lawrenceville.

          Metz’s math courses shaped his experience as a student. Metz recalled that he didn’t worry about academics coming into his II Form year until he “got a C on [his] first math test, and [he] panicked and straightened up.” Fast forward to his IV Form year, he “worked the hardest [he] had at Lawrenceville,” while also discovering his favorite course, Honors Calculus-Based Statistics. While he “had never really thought of math as being practical, [he] enjoyed the class much more than [he] ever thought”  he would.  Looking ahead, he is excited to pursue more math and statistics in the economics field. 

 
          When thinking of his hectic IV Form year, Metz “doesn’t regret picking really hard classes,” as it made him “a better student.” Although he recommends picking challenging courses,  he mentions to “make sure you will look forward to all the classes.” He “made sure all [his] classes were interesting and fun the entire year,” throughout his high school career and especially V Form. Choosing captivating courses was also “the best advice [he] got [his] III Form year.” He recalled that he categorized a “good day” as one in which he could start his homework before dinner, in accordance with his busy schedule. 

          After sending off the college applications, he thinks that “everyone loosened up.” In contrast to his busy IV Form schedule, he made sure his V Form year—especially Spring Term—was filled with light “classes [which he] enjoyed waking up for.” Although Upper House does not have a study hall routine, Metz has already built up good study habits from previous years. He tries to “leave as much free time as possible” by getting his work done “before [the] first check in.”

          The percussionist of the student-lead rock-pop band, The Disciples, Metz describes his percussion hobby as his “most defining feature.” The Disciples rehearsals, in conjunction with Jazz Band and Orchestra, is where Metz gets to showcase his talent. During orchestra practices, he can be found mentoring less experienced players on the drums. He looks forward to rehearsals with The Disciples, in which the players determine if “a song is too short, too long, and if a song gets super exciting, how to convert that into instruments.” Finding ways to express the music while editing and adjusting their parts on a whim ensures that the band stays together and conveys each player’s interpretation of their instrumentation. “We show up with at least one song in mind, for a performance, and everybody knows their parts already, ” he noted. Sometimes “rehearsals will just spawn another song that [they] want to play.” After learning the piano, he picked up the drums in second grade, inspired by his dad’s playing of the instrument. “With a few bandmates,” Metz hopes to “continue playing as long as [he] can.” As a man of many instruments, Metz is versed in the piano, saxophone, drums, and is now pursuing the electric bass. 

 
          During his time at Lawrenceville, Metz has made a lasting legacy with his talent on drums, which brings excitement to band and orchestra performances.  Now with more free time, Metz can be found eating at Abbot, taking the night off, and cramming his homework during his free period.