The Los Gatos (LGHS) and Saratoga High School (SHS) Music Departments earned top marks once again in music competitions this season.
In addition to winning multiple competitions, student musicians have been selected to represent their school in regional, state and national competitions and performances, including the All-State Choir and the Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference last week.
Cupertino Tournament of Bands (Oct. 14):
• Saratoga HS Marching Band and Color Guard placed third in 5A Division
• Saratoga HS Percussion placed first in individual judged category, 5A division
Scarlet Regiment Tournament of Bands in Hollister (Oct. 28):
• Los Gatos HS Marching Band and Color Guard placed first for Class 4A, as well as Best Visual, Best Effect and Best Music for Class 4A.
Foothill Band Review (Oct. 28):
• Saratoga HS Marching Band and Color Guard placed first in 6A division and second overall, including first in percussion and woodwinds. SHS was also awarded music sweepstakes for having the highest overall score in music.
Folsom Fall Festival (Nov: 4):
• Saratoga HS Marching Band placed first overall, including winning individual categories for woodwinds, brass, color guard, general effect, visual performance and percussion.
Disneyland Imagination Campus Marching Band Performance:
• The Los Gatos HS Marching Band auditioned and was accepted to perform as a Disneyland Imagination Campus Marching Band. Student musicians marched the parade route on Main Street at Disneyland on Nov. 10.
Santa Clara County Honor Band
• With more than 200 student musicians auditioning from high schools across Santa Clara County, 16 students from Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools were accepted into the Santa Clara County Honor Band. The Santa Clara County Honor Band has more than a 70-year history in this region.
Those selected were:
Kathy Chen (SHS, clarinet, 10), Kian Egami (LGHS, Oboe, 12), Jayden Ham (SHS, clarinet, 11), Dylan Huang (SHS, saxophone, 10), Nathan Lee (SHS, trumpet, 11), Anthony Luo (SHS, trombone, 10), Ryan Sanders (SHS, horn, 11), Daniel Schwartz (SHS, trombone, 11), Jet Tsang (SHS, trumpet, 10), Alex Vash-Muñoz (SHS, saxophone, 11), Hector Vash-Muñoz (SHS, trumpet, 11), Barbara Vasilyeva (SHS, saxophone, 10), Lucas Xu (LGHS, Clarinet, 10), Jed Yao (SHS, saxophone, 11), Julius Zhou (SHS, euphonium, 11), and Travis Zhu (SHS, saxophone, 11).
Regional Honor Choir
Twenty Los Gatos and Saratoga High School vocalists auditioned and were accepted into the California Choral Directors Association Regional Honors Choir. Students auditioned in the beginning of the school year and were selected after performing a solo, and demonstrating their musicianship and ability to sight read.
Those selected were:
Isabella Argonza (LGHS, 2025), Shaurya Banjara (LGHS, 2025), Nikila Bashyam (SHS, 2025), Brianne Blum (LGHS, 2025), Logan Campbell (LGHS, 2024), Audrey Caulkin (LGHS, 2024), Mia Clevenger (LGHS, 2024), Owen Fugit (LGHS, 2025), Tanya Goel (LGHS, 2024), Aadya Jain (LGHS, 2025), Sahana Kumar (SHS, 2026), Joyce Lee (SHS,2026), Sara Niemeyer (LGHS, 2025), Ainsley Northrop (LGHS, 2025), Emilia Orendain (LGHS, 2025), Niru Raghuvir (LGHS, 2024), Navya Rao (SHS, 2026), Medha Sarkar (LGHS, 2025), Aria Zhang (SHS, 2025), and Kiara Zhou (LGHS, 2026)
California All-State Band and Orchestra
The California All-State Band and Orchestra saw a record-breaking number of applicants this year. Of the thousands of applicants, 24 local student musicians were accepted into the All-State Band and Orchestra.
They are:
Kathy Chen (SHS clarinet, 10), Brandon Ha (LGHS, Cello, 11), Brian Ha (LGHS Cello, 9), Jayden Ham (SHS clarinet, 11), Dylan Huang (SHS saxophone 10), Jenny Jiang (SHS violin, 9), Sarah Jiang (SHS violin, 9), Ian Kim (SHS bass, 11), Jenna Kim (LGHS Viola, 10), Jiho Kim (SHS viola, 11), Ethan Lee (SHS cello, 9), Nathan Lee (SHS trumpet, 11), Jay Lim (SHS clarinet, 12), Brad Ma (SHS trombone, 12), Eric Miao (SHS flute, 12), Ryan Sanders (SHS horn, 11), Daniel Schwartz (SHS trombone, 11), Ethan Shi (LGHS, Flute, 11), Gabriel Shyh (SHS trumpet, 12), Pothan Tang (SHS trumpet, 12), Tejas Tirthapura (SHS viola, 12), Florence Wei (SHS cello, 10), Nolan Woo (SHS cello, 10), and Travis Zhu (SHS saxophone, 11).
All-State Choir
After acceptance into the CCDA Regional All-State Choir, interested vocalists are considered for the All-State Honors Choir. The All-State Honors band, orchestra and choir will perform at the annual California All-State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC) in February.
Those selected were:
Shaurya Banjara (LGHS, 2025), Nikila Bashyam (SHS, 2025), Logan Campbell (LGHS, 2024), Aadja Jain (LGHS, 2025), Sahil Muthukrishnan (LGHS, 2027), Medha Sarkar (LGHS, 2025), and Kiara Zhou (LGHS, 2026).
Music for All Honor Band of America
Six Saratoga High School students (plus one as an alternate) were accepted to the Music for All Honor Band of America. This highly competitive application process draws the top high school student musicians from across the country. The students will have the opportunity to work with clinicians and the guest conductor this year, Col. Timothy J. Holtan (the 10th Leader and Commander of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”).
Those selected were:
Jayden Ham (clarinet, 11), Dylan Huang (saxophone, 10), Nathan Lee (trumpet, 11), Daniel Schwartz (trombone, 11), Barbara Vasilyeva (saxophone, 10), Jed Yao (saxophone, 11), and Arjun Krish (jazz saxophone – alternate, 10).
Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic
The 52-member Saratoga High School Strings, “Saratoga Strings,” was selected to perform at the 77th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic last week in Chicago, Ill. One of only two groups from California invited to perform, the conference boasts an attendance of 18,000-20,000 attendees from all 50 states, in addition to 44 countries internationally.
CASMEC (California All-State Music Education Conference)
Saratoga High School’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Saratoga High School has been selected to perform at CASMEC (California All-State Music Education Conference) in February along with the All-State Band, Orchestra and Choir.
