By Mary Feliz

Mountain View High School instrumentalists are at the top of their game, with more than a dozen individuals achieving honors and recognition.

“I am continually amazed by our musicians’ self-motivated drive for success,” said Jason Kneebone, assistant music director. “They voluntarily take on tasks that many students would tackle only with an extra push from a teacher or parent. That work ethic and dedication makes the whole process more fun, and allows us to consistently produce quality performances and events.”

The Wind Ensemble received a gold award for its performance at the Pacific Basin Music Festival, and was the only band selected for a “Command Performance” in a public concert at the Hawaii Theater March 28. The Pacific Basin Music Festival is an international event, bringing together the most talented instrumental groups from countries of the Pacific Basin and beyond.

Junior French horn player Anthony Delivanis was one of four winners of California Youth Symphony’s first Associate Orchestra concerto competition and was a featured soloist at the group’s March 2 concert, performing the “Allegro” from Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3.

Seniors Jeff Chiang, clarinet, and Lance Jabr, tuba, were selected by audition from a pool of top high school musicians across the state to play in the 2008 Cal Poly Festival Wind Orchestra April 20 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Hungarian conductor Laszlo Marosi led the group.

Freshmen Dani Grant, Lisa Kolm and Anna Morrow formed a flute trio and performed at the California Music Educators Association Bay Area Solo and Ensemble Festival March 1 at San Jose State University. They received a superior rating, the highest possible, with a “Command Performance” designation indicating that the judges felt they were so exceptional they should be heard by others. Kolm also received a first-place award when she performed with a flute quartet at the Music Teachers Association of California at Santa Clara University. The quartet competed in Orange County in the state finals in April.

String players Nicole Chen, freshman, and Edwin Jeng, junior, received superior ratings and “Command Performances” for their violin solos at CMEA.

Freshmen French horn players Zach Blumenstein and Riley Tamer also performed at the festival, receiving excellent and superior ratings, respectively.

“Auditioning for an elite group or performing in a solo festival represents a huge risk, and all of these kids show amazing courage every time they decide to take that step,” said Robin Kramer, music director.

The following students were selected by competitive audition for the Santa Clara County Honor Band, which performed Jan. 23 at Spangenberg Theatre at Gunn High School: Jeff Chiang, clarinet, senior; Jeff Herman, saxophone, senior; Riley Tamer, French horn, freshman; and Zach Blumenstein, French horn, freshman.

The CMEA Bay Section Honor Band and Orchestras, which include top musicians representing schools from Gilroy to Mendocino and from the Sierras to the Bay, selected six freshmen to join the band. The groups performed Jan. 12 at San Jose State University: Carol Passarelli, saxophone; Judy Wai, clarinet; Andrew Chen, violin; Nicole Chen, violin; Jonathan Chiang, cello; and Davida McFadden, violin.