Panther Band Sets Off 2012 with Honor Band Season

After a short winter break, the Panther Band ramped up yet again for the second chapter of their school year.  From January until school ends in June, their calendar will see an event almost every weekend, with many mid-week events as well.  The 54^th Annual Solano County High School Honor Band performance signaled the beginning of their busy band season, held in Vacaville on Sunday, January 8.

To be part of the event, the musicians had to audition in November of 2011, by sending in their meticulous recordings to be judged for acceptance into the Honor Band experience.

43 members of the Panther band were accepted, along with 60 other musicians from Solano County high schools.  Everyone met for two full days prior to the performance.  They greeted each other for the first time on Friday, where they were introduced to their guest conductor and the four pieces they would play as a group.  They were able to experience a taste of the professional life, where a piece is practiced just a few times before the ‘show’.  One band director playfully mentioned it was similar to the students being ‘thrown into the deep end,’ unlike the common high school manner where they can practice one song for a month or more.

Benicia was one of 10 high schools present, but made up over 40% of the entire Solano County Honor Band, and more than half of the first chair positions.  They enjoyed meeting other high school musicians, and the special honor of being conducted by Dr. Andy Collinsworth from Sonoma State University.  

16 hours of practice resulted in 40 minutes of show time, which is only about 25 minutes of study for every one minute of performance.  They had much ground to cover; getting used to a different conducting style, where to hold notes, where to soften, when to come out with verve, how to solidify timing, how to interpret sections and where to smooth out transitions.  However, they sounded polished and cohesive, as if they had been playing together for months.  The common language of music was well spoken there. 

In addition, the venue had a favorable seating slope for the audience, making it possible to watch the faces of the musicians which are normally obscured by music stands. Ironically, everyone was there to listen, but felt the need to watch the music as well.  It enhanced the level of appreciation seeing the musicians’ eyes dart rapidly from sheet music to conductor, intent and focused, never losing their place.

Lauren Gentle, a BHS senior, was very happy with the variety of the conductor’s four selections. She liked the strong mixture of ‘epic, adventure and pretty’ as it gave the band a chance to showcase their craft.  This was evidenced in Allerseelen, a soulful piece about yearning and the heartbreak of a lost love. It reached through time and was put in the capable hands of our youth, who handled it brilliantly. 

Dr. Collinsworth closed the concert by handing out praise and thanks to the band.  He not only was impressed by their musicality, but “by their deportment, behavior and cooperation.”  He said these are the “do-everything” kids…with high grades while they balance band and sports.  “They are what’s right about (public) education,” referring to the cuts which schools are experiencing in their educational programs.  

Zachary Clay had the singular honor of being the only freshman from Benicia to be part of the Honor Band. 

The Honor Band Season continues on to the next two levels, where thirteen* of the Panthers will move up to perform in the All Northern Honor Band on January 20-22.  From there, five** Panthers will progress to the top level, held during All State Honor Band weekend, to be held February 16-19. 

Laced through Honor Band season, will be several events for the Jazz Band, the start of Winterguard season, as well as an enhanced marching schedule to build endurance for their five-mile long St. Patrick's Day Parade route in New York on March 17. 

*All Northern Panthers: Saniya Kishnani, John Kim, Carrie Johnston, Kristi Pebley, Stuart Blackie, Chris O’Brien, Cristina O’Brien, Quincy Smith, Katy Smith, Patrick Fedigan, Matt Mulks, Nick Garcia, Michael Grisham.

**All State Panthers: John Kim, Carrie Johnston, Quincy Smith, Lei Angela Ilan, Michael Grisham.