Mt. Eden’s band program is more than just a collection of instruments, but a team filled with creativity, talent, and discipline, where students from different ranges of experience and backgrounds come together to create musical art through performances, both on campus and outside of campus.
All the performers’ hard work is paid off, as their dedication and passion is showcased to various audiences. With dedicated ensembles, such as Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Percussion Ensemble, the program grows musical skills and a strong sense of community.
“The band program is a great place to challenge yourself, if you want to have something to work towards,” said Mt. Eden music teacher Daniel Watson.
For Watson, playing in a band is more than just a hobby; it’s an integral part of his own educational and professional development.
“Playing in band has been a huge part of my education,” he said. “I started playing in 4th grade and continued through high school, and it was such an integral part of my experience that it felt natural to continue into college and take it into a career.”
Additionally, Watson explained the importance of creating opportunities for every student to succeed and how there are different levels of parts in band.
“For example, in the trumpet section, there are parts for trumpets 1, 2, and 3, with increasing difficulty,” said Watson. “It gives students of all experience levels a chance to contribute meaningfully to the ensemble.”
The sense of companionship is another defining feature of the Mt. Eden’s band program, and something that students consistently highlight.
“My favorite part of being in band is the community,” said Mt. Eden senior Shreya Rathaur, an alto saxophonist. “Band honestly just feels like a big group of friends, people are reliable and kind.”
Senior trumpet player Ryan Panlilio adds on to these sentiments, recalling the band’s journey from a small group to a large one.
“My freshman year, the band was incredibly small, especially the jazz band,” Panlilio said. “But through all the hard work we put into our music, we won Gold 1st in our annual spring competition. The judge came up to Mr. Watson and said, ‘Shake my hand, what a great band.’”
There is a sense of personal growth that comes with being in band, extending beyond music. Mt. Eden senior Francisco Flamenco, a trombonist and co-president of the band, described the valuable skills he’s gained throughout his time in the program.
“I’ve developed a lot of collaboration and leadership skills,” Flamenco said.
He continued by stating that being in council requires collaboration as well as leadership, recalling a memorable experience during a competitive tour in Seattle.
“It rewarded us for our hard work throughout the year, and I got to play and hang out with the band family while there,” said Flamenco. “It was probably one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had.”
Yet, balancing band with academics and other extracurriculars is equally as challenging.
“Band takes up a lot of my day already,” said Panlilio. “So every day after rehearsal I focus on academics. It’s not easy balancing everything, but I make it work somehow.”
Rathaur agreed, noting that consistent practice is essential to improving.
“It can be challenging, but once I do practice and see improvement, it becomes super rewarding,” said Rathaur.
The future of Mt. Eden band is filled with more performance opportunities, collaborations with local colleges, and a newly renovated band room that will offer an even better space for rehearsals and performances. Watson is optimistic about the program’s growth.
“I think the band program is going to continue to grow as it has since COVID,” he said. “The renovations to the band room will create a better experience for students, with updated acoustics and a layout designed for performance.”
As the band continues to evolve, Watson hopes that more students will consider joining the program. “It’s a very rewarding group that has a lot of fun and really enjoys playing music. I hope students reach out and join the group,” said Watson.
