Song writing was once just a hobby for senior Thomas Schuler, but the percussionist’s dedication for creating compositions and song lyrics has encouraged him to pursue music further on.   

Schuler, who will be studying either production, songwriting or performance at Berklee College of Music, has lived a life filled with music. He started playing the drums at 4 years old and has since then added the piano, guitar and singing to his musical talents. Though he loves all of the instruments he plays, the drums are a standout for him. In addition to his interest in learning music, he has been creating his own compositions since the COVID pandemic. 

During the pandemic, Schuler started to experiment with playing the piano. At first, most of his songs were instrumental, but he soon started to create song lyrics. As he practiced writing music, his lyrics became more vivid and visual, almost like a story. 

“If something inspires me, whether I hear a song that is musically or lyrically inspiring… the best thing I can do is go to my notes app or have a pen or paper, and start writing down words,” Schuler said.

In both summers of 2024 and 2025, Schuler attended a five week program at Berklee College of Music, which included a songwriting class. His teacher had students go outside for 20 minutes to gather  inspiration. Schuler strolled around the school until he stopped by a bridge above the intersection of Mass Ave. and Boylston Street. Then he was suddenly inspired. 

“I thought, what if there was this couple, and they were on their way to the airport, and then they’re about to have a breakup?” Schuler said.  

He recalls then rushing towards his dorm and running up the stairs. Eventually, this turned into  his original song “Turnpike Tunnel,” which he submitted to and will be published in Sachem, Algonquin’s art and literary magazine. 

“The song, music and lyrics just came out as I ran up [the stairs],” Schuler said. “Then it was a full blown song.” 

He hopes to create an album in the future, since he has written about 25 to 30 songs, both finished and unfinished. He has a concept album called “Alien” which is composed mostly of intricate instrumental songs. The album has 10 songs, and he has started adding lyrics to the compositions. Three years later, he’s now transitioned into writing pop songs. He has the ideas and emotions of what he plans for his album, but it’s not fully completed yet. 

“As I write more songs, I feel more attached to those songs,” Schuler said. “Since [the songs] are newer, I’m more personally connected to them.”

Schuler is excited for his future; he hopes to learn more about music and meet new people at Berklee. 

“I know [when] I’m surrounded by many musicians, and that amount of musicality within [Berklee], great things will come out of me,” Schuler said. 

Schuler recognizes how music positively impacts people. Whenever thinking about the effects of songs, he recalls how music can help people with Alzheimer’s unlock certain memories.  

“Music can produce a feeling within that only music can do,” Schuler said. “That is something I genuinely love about music.”

Schuler has many people supporting him throughout his music journey. Music teacher and Band Director Eric Vincent is someone who has guided him frequently. Schuler has taken music classes at Algonquin, such as Beginning Guitar and AP Music Theory. In addition, he is a percussionist in the school’s concert band, jazz band and plays the drums in the pit for the fall musical.

As a middle schooler Schuler played in the district jazz concerts and met Vincent, and their connection deepened through Schuler’s high school years. 

“He’s kind, and he has good energy,” Vincent said. “He’s a very positive person. His positivity is contagious.”

For someone who participates in the music department so often, Vincent has mixed emotions about Schuler graduating soon.

“We’re happy to see him leave and go on and do bigger things,” Vincent said. “It’s bittersweet when you lose a student like that in the program.”