Six members of the Advanced Band at Shadow Ridge High School had the opportunity to participate in the CCSD Honor Band, and some were even able to join Southern Utah University’s Honor Band.
Senior Micah Salazar, a trumpet player, loved being part of SUU.
“This was my fourth year straight doing this honor band and I love it each time,” Salazar said. “It’s awesome being able to work with Dr. Lambert and Professor Torres,”
As both a band student at Shadow and an honor band student, time management did become a struggle, but Salazar figured out what worked best for him.
“One of the most difficult parts of balancing Honor Band rehearsals and school band responsibilities was the timing of knowing which songs to practice on which days,” Salazar mentioned. “I can’t spend all week on Shadow music, just like how I can’t practice all week practicing honor band. I had to find a balance for each ensemble.”
Senior Layla Carlos had the opportunity to participate in CCSD’s Honor Band, an experience that reignited her passion for music.
“Being part of the Honor Band has filled me with joy,” Carlos stated. “It reminded me why I found music and band so fun in the first place.”
Being part of a large, professional ensemble that offers more than just musical challenges creates a community of like-minded individuals who inspire and push each other to grow.
“It’s refreshing being with students who share the same goals and skills as you, being able to learn new things from people in a completely different state is always a bonus,” Salazar said. “It keeps me motivated that there are always like-minded individuals who want to pursue a passion in their art.”
Ensembles like these often make students learn something from their experience or give a big takeaway that they just know made the whole experience even better.
Salazar learned how to “maximize efficiently under pressure.” Whereas Carlos didn’t exactly learn anything, she did “meet new friends and got a chance to play amazing music with some of the top musicians in CCSD.”
Along with the music, comes memories that are just as random as sharing food but are memorable.
“My favorite memory at CCSD honor band was walking past a restaurant during break and seeing Corwin and Justin (other band kids) running towards me from the restaurant I just passed, when I came inside most of the other CCSD honor band kids from Shadow Ridge were in there asking if I could help eat their food since they didn’t realize how much they would get,” Carlos mentioned.
