Oliveira Band Earns National Award

The Oliveira Middle School Symphonic Band was named a Commended National Winner in Class AA of the 2015 Mark of Excellence/National Wind Band Honors Contest sponsored by the Foundation of Music Education. In addition, 6 members of the band received Outstanding Soloists awards. Congratulations to Joely Gonzalez, flute; Ivan Castro, obe and clarinet; Alondra Serrato, piccolo; Matthew Padilla, clarinet; Juan Angel Montemayor, alto saxophone; and Anakin Martinez, tenor saxophone. The Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Contest through the Foundation of Music Education seeks to recognize and award outstanding achievement in performance by high school and middle school bands. Directors across the nation submitted CD recordings of their ensembles from the 2014-2015 school year. Adjudicators listened to all of the entries, and provided detailed tape-recorded comments and brief written comments. Winners will also be recognized in regional and/or national publications, and at national and regional conventions. National winners and Commended winners will each receive a trophy. Congratulations to the Oliveira Middle School Symphonic Band students, parents, and their directors, Gasper Garcia, Mike Kuntz, Victor Franco, and Robert Barron.