By Joylynn Lee
Executive Arts Edito
Junior Gordon Whitlow was accepted to play the tuba in one of the highest-ranking national bands, the Honor Band of America.
Since 1992, the Honor Band of America has earned a prestigious reputation because it has always attracted phenomenal student-musicians. The honor band has performed with the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles and toured internationally in Japan and Europe.
“The audition panel of [Honor Band of America] allowed [contestants] to choose their music,” Whitlow said. “Therefore we could showcase our abilities in whatever ways we saw fit.”
Whitlow auditioned for the Honor Band of America with his own choice of repertoire. The judge panel chose student-musicians who showed enough musical strength in their audition and provided quality written feedback and evaluation as part of their audition.
“I was super excited to be accepted for such a prestigious opportunity,” Whitlow said. “I’m confident in my abilities and wasn’t all too surprised to see my acceptance.”
Whitlow has been part of Costa’s band program since he was a freshman and has played tuba for the band ever since. By being a part of Honor Band of America, he participates in a 320-piece national ensemble that consists of winds, percussion, flag, and a dance team.
“The audition was a couple of months ago,” Whitlow said. “It’s sometimes easy to forget, but [students] have fun!”
Whitlow has played the tuba for four years. According to Whitlow, he shows immense passion by partaking in several other prestigious bands ranked nationally. He’s part of the Colburn Youth Orchestra, University’s Young Artists Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and California’s All-State Wind Symphony. [Colburn Youth Orchestra is one of the most prestigious youth orchestras with a 10% acceptance rate, according to Colburnschool.edu]. According to Whitlow, he puts immense effort into practicing to ensure his top-notch performance during musical events and auditions.
“The greatest enjoyment I find in music is when it can be used as a form of expression,” Whitlow said. “It can also be used to create connections while fostering a community.”
According to Whitlow, he practices for four hours everyday. When he practices intensely for an event, he organizes exactly what he practices in order to shape and improve his technique in his instrumental and rhythmic skills.
“When I’m seriously preparing for an audition, I typically do one to two hours of fundamental practice,” Whitlow said. “Then I work another two to three hours on excerpts and solos.”
Honor Band of America is one of three nationally ranked ensembles. These three will perform in the Music for All National Festival, playing alongside with the Honor Orchestra of America and Jazz Band of America.
“It’s easy to forget the idea of playing for desire, for achievement, and recognition.” Whitlow said. “To future student musicians, I would recommend that they play for a love of music.”
According to Whitlow, he shows appreciation for all the experiences that he has received throughout his years of playing tuba. This instrument has fostered his passion and enjoyment through his years as a student.
“I’m grateful for where music has taken me thus far,” Whitlow said. “But I don’t have plans for the future with tuba in mind.”
The Honor Band of America chooses top student-musicians, and the band will be rehearsing only a couple of days. Whitlow will then be performing in Indiana with the band on April 2 in Indianapolis with practice starting on March 31.
“I started playing the tuba at the age of 14,” Whitlow said. “I would probably say that music helped me learn the importance of self-expression and connection.”
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