Last Saturday Amador’s Wind 1 Ensemble had the opportunity to perform in Fresno at the California All State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC) as the only high school group. Many colleges and private groups along with Amador’s ensembles performed for music educators all over the state. 

“We found out during the summer that we were the soul high school selected to represent the conference. Out of all the schools in the whole state they only picked one high school Wind Ensemble,” said Assistant Band Director Edwin Cordoba.

Applicants from across California sent applications and recordings to be chosen to perform in front of music educators statewide. The groups’s recording of playing 3 pieces came from last year’s Sonoma State Festival performances. 

“[The band] did fabulous, they had a really stellar performance in front of friends, family, and other music educators from across the state performing nine collegiate level pieces onstage. I am really really proud of them and what they were able to accomplish,” said Cordoba.

The week leading up to the trip both band directors Jonathan Grantham and Cordoba became sick and unable to come to rehearsals. Students rehearsed and conducted the bands on their own with the help of former band directors Jon Fey (Amador’s principal), Joshua Butterfield, and Paul Perazzo. 

“It was difficult for the kids to try and maneuver [the times when we were sick], but they persevered and they kept their chins up and they rehearsed well with all of the guest clinicians and still managed to get better the week of the performance even without a band director in the space,” said Cordoba. 

Individual students were selected to perform with others throughout California in a full 45-minute concert. Performers became part of two concert bands, a symphony orchestra, and a string orchestra with only a few rehearsals together before Saturday’s performance.

“The rehearsals were really productive and really fun. It was a lot of equipment to move from place to place but everyone was super helpful and there’s a lot of great parent volunteers. The performance went super well, we were all glad to have Mr. Grantham back,” said James Borris (‘24).