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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.
Photo Credit: Raphael Ghieuw Sien
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December 19, 2009
Nicole Pham
Students packed the gym for the winter assembly Dec. 18, but the annual event was cut earlier than in previous years. Student activities director Helen Paris released students ten minutes before first period was scheduled to start, explaining the gesture as a type of holiday reward.
The assembly, though shortened, maintained its usual sequence of events. Athletics director Mike Tripp announced the $2,500 check awarded to the football team for their entry in a video contest. Balancing athletics with academics, vice principal Lance Miller acknowledged those with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
After the administrators’ announcements, the festivities began with senior Kimberly Chatterjee singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Sports team members and teachers appeared as Chatterjee sang about each “day”. English teacher Debi Pavlecic (pictured) was among the six teachers acting as the “geese a-laying”. Students played games with seasonal themes, competing within classes. The school band, conducted by senior Christopher Valdez and band teacher Duane Mitchell, played sets of holiday music between the various games.
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November 9, 2009
Shelmi Liang
Homecoming is one of the most important events for the school, especially for the school marching band. Under the instruction of music teacher, Duane Mitchell, the students aim to shine with their musical abilities in front of a large audience. The band performs a field show during half-time at the homecoming football game. For three weeks prior to the event, the band practices during class at Tak Fudenna Stadium.
“We [also] practice after school for about an hour on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the teacher parking lot,” senior Nicole Torio said.
The song they are performing this year is called “Malaguena” arranged by Michael Sweeney, which is a slightly more difficult piece than last year’s.
The population of students in band has decreased. However, the size overall has remained fairly the same for awhile. There are more underclassmen than upperclassmen, however the upperclassmen have more experience. It is also a small group compared to other schools; they only have 34 students in band as opposed to other schools with many more students. If a WHS student plays an instrument, they are encouraged to join.
The shortage of band members has a big impact on what the band has the ability to perform on the field.
“Line formation is probably spread out more,” senior John Rasure said.
The reason why the line formation is spread out more is to fill the field with people so it looks aesthetically pleasing to the crowd. Conducted by senior Chris Valdez, the band played a short, yet sweet “Malaguena.” Although Washington lost their homecoming game, the field performance by the band impressed the crowd.
“The band seemed on point and coordinated. They did a good job getting everybody pumped for the next half of the game,” senior Naser Mohabbat said.
