News

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Santa Barbara High musicians merit drum roll at awards banquet

Whether it’s Berkeley with a ‘Y,’ as in Cal, or Berkelee with an ‘E,’ as in Berkelee College of Music in Boston, four of seven graduating musicians from Santa Barbara High’s Instrumental Music Program will soon be students at one of these two nationally acclaimed institution of higher learning. The other three are headed for other acclaimed colleges including UC Santa Cruz.

All seven seniors will receive and hearty applause and a drum roll at Monday’s award banquet, on June 1, at 6 p.m. in the school café when they are honored by Santa Barbara High for their multiple accomplishments and contributions to the community.

“This is an exceptional group of seniors already known for their outstanding musicianship and community service, who we commend for their impressive academic achievements,” remarked Dr. Mark Capritto, principal.

Clarinetist Jae Park is off to UC Berkeley, along with guitarist Sean Peinado. Jae is an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar with Honors (he is expected to graduate an AP Scholar with Distinction when May’s AP exam scores are released). He has been in the concert band program all four years, completed 8 AP classes, and completed 270 units (240 are required) with a grade point average of 4.5.

On the school’s wrestling team, Peinado completed seven AP classes (including advanced math, physics, and chemistry) and has a 4.57 grade point average.

Having won countless musical awards, seniors Matt Raphaelian, drummer, and Lito Hernandez, alto saxophonist, will both attend the prestigious Berkelee College of Music in Boston on merit scholarships. Lito was a Youth Grammy Spotlight Finalist. He received Berkelee’s coveted Presidential Award. Matt has received best musicianship and soloist awards at almost every competition the band has attended during his four years.

Guitarist Matt Cassidy-Norris chose UC Santa Cruz, after proving to be one of band’s stellar members. Trumpeter and Marching Band Drum Major Tyler Yahyavi, along with drummer Karla Perez, are headed for Santa Barbara City College. Senior guitarist and composer Matt Blitzer will attend Cal Arts.

All seven will receive recognition for outstanding community service.

“This group of seven exemplary seniors is followed by an academically strong group of 26 juniors. The 21-member jazz band boasts three Commended National Merit Commended Scholars (NMCS), perhaps the highest percentage of commended scholars of any program at Santa Barbara High. All three started in jazz band their freshmen year, with two also in the marching band program. National Merit Scholarships are awarded to juniors who score high on the PSAT exam taken in October,” noted Charles Ortega, director of the instrumental music program.

Those interested in supporting the Santa Barbara High School Instrumental Music Program are encouraged to contact Mr. Ortega at 966-9101, or sbhsbanddirector@yahoo.com

Visit www.sbhsbands.org for a calendar of events and performances.