Four band students, freshman Evelyn Vargas, juniors Owen Driscoll and Harley Engdahl, and senior Charlie Snyder, were selected to participate in the Honor Band of America.
This year marks unprecedented levels of achievement for the OH band program, as they do not typically get more than two students selected a year.
“For one school, I would say that’s more than we’ve ever had before,” OH band director Kevin Schoenbach said, “Oh, it’s a huge honor, and I know all four of those students are just working super hard.”
The Honor Band of America is run by the nonprofit organization Music for All. The organization gathers the best of high school students to participate in a large music festival right before spring break.
“It’s basically like school band, but a bunch of different kids from all over the place come together…and they make up one band,” said Driscoll.
Vargas’ acceptance is a very rare case where a freshman student is able to compete on a national level.
“It’s crazy that a freshman can make [it]. Most of the kids that are making [it] are going to be future music majors that are probably juniors and seniors,” said Schoenbach.
Vargas is happy to have made it into the Honor Band, but said the audition process was a little intense.
“I took a lot of takes and I practiced pretty hard and I just kept taking takes,” said Vargas, ”It can get a little bit tough sometimes because you’re just taking so many takes and when you mess up, it doesn’t feel good.”
All four students selected for Honor Band of America had to audition and be accepted. Senior Snyder recalled his experiences with the audition process, including an audition for the Jazz Band of America.
“You have to play certain songs of different varying styles. So, one song I had to play was really fast, very technical. Other songs were Latin, Bossa, more groove, kind of based. And then one was a slower ballad,” said Snyder.
According to Schoenbach, Snyder was another remarkable case, as he is not aware of another student from OH who has been accepted into the Jazz Band of America.
“I would like to thank everybody who is in our jazz programs. The directors Mr. Roselieb and Mr. Schoenbach also, all my close friends in our jazz program,” said Snyder. He continued, “being able to support a band that’s stronger than me…, more powerful, it makes the experience a lot better because being the support for something that other people can go upon. It’s just an amazing feeling.”
Although this is a significant accomplishment for OH, Schoenbach sees the value for future Panther musicians who may be inspired by these students success
“I think it makes other students see that and think, ‘Oh, man, it’s possible I can do that too.’ You know, ‘I work that hard’. So it’s kind of [used] as a way to snowball a little bit with the other students.”
Hello my name is Ryker Stevenson and this is my second year on 42fifty. I am a senior and currently participate in chess club and co-captain for scholastic bowl. I am happy to be back and to serve the publication again as the Arts and Entertainment Section Editor.
