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March 2, 2010
Bach Phan
Juniors Allen Liu, Kevin Luo and sophomore Daniel Brown were selected to be part of Fremont Unified School District’s honor band. The honor band consists of about 40 students from the district. Rehearsals started in January at Mission San Jose High School, and the band played at the Ohlone College concert hall, Feb. 6. They played music from the eighteenth century.
“If I had to describe it in a word… ‘calm’,” Brown said.
Scott Pierson directs the honor band. He is also the marching band director for both San Jose State University and the Santa Clara Vanguards. He taught them new things, such as breathing techniques.
To audition, applicants submitted recorded tapes of the folk song suites and scales (different ways of playing notes) that they played. Directors from each high school met to listen to the audition tapes anonymously. They selected a certain number for each instrument depending on what they needed, and made sure that each school was represented. They give credit to WHS band teacher Duane Mitchell for setting everything up and directing everybody.
“This is the best [honor] band we’ve had in eight or nine years,” Mitchell said.
The WHS honor band students started playing their instruments in elementary school. In fourth grade, both Brown and Liu acquired their instruments, the trumpet and French horn respectively. Brown was inspired by his older sister, who plays the piano, to play instruments His first instrument was the piano, which he still plays today. Luo picked up his clarinet in the third grade after he was done playing the recorder in his after-school music classes.
“My director chose my instrument for me,” Liu said.
They practice frequently during the week. Brown practices every day for about an hour, while Liu practices for about five hours a week. They attribute their success to practice.
“It’s really about practice, there is no talent, it’s just practice,” Brown said.
Liu is looking at UC Berkeley as a prospect for his future plans. He has not thought of doing anything else with his life besides music. Brown has not looked into many schools, but knows of many of the prominent music schools. If he had to do something besides music, he would become an inventor or an engineer. Luo plans to pursue music as a minor in college.
“I feel proud to be in honor band,” said Luo.
This article originally appeared in print on March 2, 2010. It has been modified to correct style and grammatical errors.
