In the often stressful years of high school, many students strive to maintain acceptable grades while enjoying extracurricular activities. Among organizations such as sports and clubs, the Fresno-Madera Counties Music Education Association’s honor band provides an experience to challenge student musicians.

Honor band provides an annual opportunity for Central Valley junior high and high school students to collaborate and create a band composed of ambitious individuals.

Those interested in honor band must audition for the group at Bullard High School, Jan. 24. Local music teachers will judge each student on a set audition piece to determine acceptance and placement.

After four lengthy rehearsals among all participants with a guest conductor, accepted musicians will perform a concert to showcase their talent, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. The entire audition-to-performance process takes one week.

Campus band instructor Jimmy Loomis encourages all band members to audition for the group in order to benefit future careers and forge memories.

“Honor band is a great way to meet similarly talented musicians and learn from their experiences,” Loomis said. “Also, talented local ? and sometimes world-renowned ? conductors lead the groups! [Honor band] definitely has a positive impact on a musician’s training and it’s often a true highlight of the year.”

Students auditioning for honor band include freshmen Sean Carter and Dana King, sophomore Sydney Carlson, senior Chelsea Joy and [seventh grade students] Sabrina Kumar and Jon Beck.

“I prepared for three months to get into All-State Honor Band,” Carter, a trumpet player, said. “I didn’t make it, so I think I’ll try for the local honor band. All the music from school is easy for me, so I want something harder.”

In addition to improvement for his current hobby, Carter recognizes the academic advantage of the band.

“It will not only help me at trumpet school, but colleges will see that I did honor band ? and they like that stuff,” Carter said.

Although a veteran member of honor band, Joy continues to practice in order to achieve a higher placement in the group.

“I will practice as much as my embouchure will let me,” Joy, a clarinet player, said. “I’m still nervous because I’d like to get a higher chair this time.”

In honor band, musicians play at one level higher than their colleagues: junior high students play high school pieces and high school students play college-level music. The higher difficulty of honor band often attracts students to the group.

“Joining honor band means you will play with students as dedicated to music as you,” Joy said. “It’s different than just a high school band. When you come back from [honor band], you may have more dedication and ambition.”

As a member of honor band for four consecutive years, Joy considers her experiences a highlight of her high school years.

“I’ve done [honor band] since [the] eighth grade and it’s been huge fun,” Joy said. “I get to gather with fellow musicians who love the same thing I do.”

For more information on campus musical groups, visit the Dec. 4 article, ‘Great Day’ for campus musicians or e-mail Jimmy Loomis.