Saratoga News

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Yvonne Chiu and Laura Kim play flutes during band rehearsal.

Saratoga High School bands capture highest state honors

By Tim Persyn

The long hours of practice required of dedicated musicians recently paid off for two Saratoga High School bands when they each earned the highest rating at the annual California Music Educators Association Festival April 27 at California State University, Hayward.

Saratoga High's wind ensemble and symphonic band each won "unanimous superiors," which require that all judges give the performing band the highest possible rating.

"All four judges have to agree that you are wonderful," said Craig Northrup, interim band director at Saratoga High. "The average high school band couldn't achieve it."

The Saratoga bands each played a 20-minute program of concert music for three judges, followed by a sightreading session in which they were required to perform a piece they had never seen before for a fourth judge. The judges rated the bands on such musical qualities as tone, intonation, and phrasing.

As the long line of plaques along Saratoga High's band-room wall attest, the school has a history of performing well in band competitions. Northrup said that since the 1960s, the high school has had a strong tradition of music programs, which has led to many "unanimous superior" performances.

Northrup explained that strong community support for school bands has helped maintained the school's music tradition. "The community supports the arts."

All the success has perhaps led to a bit of a jaded attitude on the part of a few band members. "We got the same award last year," said one member in a matter-of-fact tone. The member added, "It (the competition) wasn't really competitive."

However, Northrup commented, "We were all delighted. Everybody let out a whoop.

"It's such a difficult thing to reach that level," he added. "If you don't play at the peak of your ability, you won't do it."

Northrup had come on as band director soon before the competition, when the regular director, Frank Wyant, took a leave of absence.

Laura Wallis, a senior who plays oboe in the wind ensemble, said the band worked hard to adjust to a new director. "We worked frantically to put it together. We had to get used to how the new director incorporates his style into teaching."