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Enriching Young Lives Through Music
Honor Band
Riverbank High School freshman Jenise Perryman, left, and senior Martin Sveen were recognized at the school board meeting last Tuesday for being selected for the County Honor Band . Here, they are presented by School Board President, Suzanne Dean and Band Director, Joseph Aguilar, far right VIRGINIA STILL/THE NEWS

 

Two Riverbank High School (RHS) students have made the cut to join the Stanislaus County Honor Band. Senior Martin Sveen and freshman Jenise Perryman auditioned for the County Band and were selected to participate with over 90 bandmates from other high schools in the county. The students will perform for guests on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Modesto Junior College Auditorium.

RHS Band Director Joseph Aguilar explained to members of the community at a school board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19 what a distinction it is be a part of the County Honor Band.

This will be Sveen’s second year making the honor band and he has progressed to second chair from last year’s fourth chair playing the tuba.

Perryman will be playing her trombone in her first year of performing with the honor band where she made the sixth chair.

“It takes determination and practice to make the county honor band,” said Aguilar. “The students were given the music three months before the actual audition date and it was up to them to practice and learn the music.”

Both Sveen and Perryman scheduled time for practicing on their own time and when necessary they would schedule time with Aguilar after school hours.

Sveen started band in the fourth grade and both his older sisters were in band as well as his dad, so it was a natural choice to join the band.

“I started out on trumpet and then I got braces so it is easier to play a tuba with braces than a trumpet,” said Sveen. “I play just about every instrument in the band room.”

With the possibility of becoming a music teacher in the future, Sveen plans to continue his band experience.

“I did honor band last year and I just figured it was fun and I learned a lot while I was there so I figured why not try it this year and see what I can do,” added Sveen.

This is Perryman’s second year of playing the trombone; previously she played the saxophone.

“I wanted to try something different,” stated Perryman. “I tried saxophone first and then I switched to trombone to try something new. Right now I am kind of starting to like it better than playing saxophone, but sometimes I miss saxophone.”

She started band in the seventh grade and practiced a lot to make the honor band, she said.

“I am actually enjoying the rehearsals and I can’t wait for the performance (at MJC) on Saturday,” expressed Perryman. “I like playing all the music that we get.”

The band members had to audition in front of a judge and depending on how well the student did determined whether they made the honor band.

“They did a very good job,” added Aguilar. “They have just come a long way as musicians and I am very proud of them.”

The Stanislaus County Junior High and High School Honor Choir will perform Friday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m.

The Stanislaus County Junior High and High School Orchestra will perform on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 2 p.m.

The Stanislaus County Junior High and High School Honor Bands will perform on Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. The concerts will be held at the MJC Auditorium and are open to the public at no cost.