The Contra Costa County Honor band performed at Acalanes High school on February 2. The band ensemble included 6 Campo musicians: Newton Kwan, Zachary Su, Josh Sherman, Nikhil Suri, Dhruv Suri and Justin Archangel.

Started in 1991, the band consists of approximately 85 students representing 5 different school districts. In the past the band has performed works like “A Klezmer Karneval,” “Symphony of the band,” and a traditional Irish Lullaby “Deir’ in De.”

The honor band experience is designed to be concentrated and rigorous. The students learn all of the concert literature at the rehearsals and do not receive the music ahead of time. They have approximately 12 hours of rehearsal over 3 days with a guest conductor.

“To choose a piece, to prepare it, all that takes extra practice time in addition to all the responsibilities they have for our program,” explained Campo band director Johnny Johnson.

According to Johnson, thousands of high school students from the county audition each year. “Its very competitive to get into that band.  it’s a lot of schools, a lot of students from all across the county. And it’s a great honor to be in it,” said Johnson.

For freshman Zachary Su, the decision to try out was easy. “Mr. Johnson told me about it and then I decided to give it a try,” Su said. “I think I was prepared well, and I did well at the audition despite that I was nervous.”