While musicians around the world adjusted to virtual practice sessions and concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person performances are slowly making a comeback. Four Bromfield students will perform among 90 talented musicians selected from across the country in next week’s concerts with the John Philip Sousa National High School Honor Band.
After submitting audition tapes last year showcasing their musical talents, high school students representing 25 states were selected to join this year’s National Honor Band—among them, Bromfield’s Echo Muñoz, Thaman Surya, Alexander Myles, and Ethan Zhou, who will all be playing with the band for their first time.
The students will take part in a summer camp-style music festival in Harvard from June 26 through 30 with the National Honor Band, where they will attend intensive rehearsals in preparation for three concerts in Massachusetts. Shuttles will transport the students from a hotel in Devens to Harvard, where they will come together for in-person practice sessions at Bromfield’s Cronin Auditorium before heading to Gardner, Athol, and Worcester for the performances.
Col. Michael J. Colburn, former director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, will conduct the students in a selection of classic band pieces at Bromfield and during the concerts. The final performance at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on June 29 will conclude the four-day festival hosted at Bromfield.
“It’s one of the greatest honors to have one of my idols in my school, leading some of my kids and getting to see what he does,” said Craig Robbins, the director of bands and the unified arts department leader at Bromfield, referring to this year’s conductor, Colburn. “He has led some of the finest wind bands in the world.”
In 2016 Robbins replaced Bromfield’s longtime band director, Thomas Reynolds, who is now the executive director of the National Honor Band.
Founded in 1981, the National Honor Band has honored the achievements and spirit of American composer and conductor John Philip Sousa with biannual performances. During his lifetime, Sousa wrote 136 marches, including “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “Semper Fidelis,” the official march of the U.S. Marine Corps. He also served as the leader of the U.S. Marine Band for 12 years and formed the Sousa Band, which toured for 39 years.
A 2022 graduate of Bromfield, trumpet player Muñoz will be participating in the band. Muñoz has taken part in the Central Mass. Music Educators Festival Concert Band, as well as multiple Sousa Foundation festivals. This fall, Muñoz intends to continue playing trumpet on the side while attending the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Surya, a rising junior, will participate this year as a percussionist. Surya has also taken part in the Central Mass. Music Educators Festival Concert Band, and is a three-sport athlete playing soccer, basketball, and tennis. Surya joined the pit orchestra for last year’s performance of “The Sound of Music” at Bromfield. Myles, a rising senior, is primarily an alto sax player but will be found in the tenor sax section for this festival. He is also a varsity athlete, participating on the soccer, swim, and baseball teams.
Zhou, a clarinetist and rising sophomore, will also be participating in the band. He was one of many musicians who had to adapt to a new practice schedule when his one-on-one lessons were moved online during the pandemic. “The pandemic definitely posed a lot of barriers to everything music related,” said Zhou, adding that duets were especially difficult due to poor sound quality over Zoom. He has taken part in the Central Mass. Music Educators Festival Concert Band and the school bands.
Zhou began his musical career when he tried his hand at playing the piano and clarinet about eight years ago. It wasn’t long before he realized in the third grade that the clarinet felt more natural to play, and he decided to stick with it. “I like playing a wide variety—fast pieces and jazzy calypso styles—also songs I enjoy now, which have sheet music I can follow on the clarinet.” Zhou joined the pit orchestra for last year’s performance of “The Sound of Music” at Bromfield.
Zhou has performed live at Mechanics Hall in Worcester a couple of times. Known for its elegant architecture and riveting acoustics, the hall is regarded as one of the state’s finest. “I’m really interested in hearing how a full ensemble plays together,” he said. “There’s a lot of skillful people who are going to be there.”
In addition to the performance in Worcester, concerts will also be held at Monument Park in Gardner and Memorial Hall in Athol. Held at Mechanics Hall on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m., the final event is open to the public. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $7 for students, and can be purchased from the Mechanics Hall website at www.mechanicshall.org/tickets/john-philip-sousa-2022/.
