San Jose Wind Symphony
Community
Fourth of July Concert—FREE!
Every year on the Fourth of July, around 1:30 pm, you'll find SJWS on the front lawn of Los Gatos High School, entertaining thousands with a rousing concert of marches, popular songs and patriotic music.
This year, the band salutes members of our armed forces, with selections by Sousa, Smith, Zimmerman and many more. It's the perfect family outing to celebrate Independence Day.
Education
Third Annual Youth Solo Competition Winners
SJWS is pleased to announce the winners of our third annual Youth Solo Competition. We heard many very fine players and were impressed with the high level of playing abilities. The superior quality of the contestants made the selections very difficult.
We would like to encourage everyone to attend our June 1 concert in which Kenta will be performing Von Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 with the San Jose Wind Symphony. Kenta, Zachary and Edgar will also be awarded their scholarship money and acknowledged for their talents.
Kenta Akaogi, clarinet
First Prize: $400
Kenta Akaogi began his clarinet playing at age twelve with Charles Ancheta and currently studies with Dr. Janet Averett, the clarinet professor at San Jose State University. He is currently a member of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, playing both clarinet and bass clarinet, where he receives sectional coachings by Luis Baez and David Neuman. In 10th and 11th grade, he played both principal clarinet and bass clarinet in the California Youth Symphony. Kenta has also played in the California State Honor Band Wind Symphony and was first chair clarinetist in the Santa Clara County Honor Band. At Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, he is part of the Jazz Combo, Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra, where he has made many solo appearances. He also serves as the treasurer of the Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter.
Aside from his music performances, Kenta was the captain of his high school varsity soccer team his senior year. He plans to continue studying clarinet with Professor James Campbell at Indiana University.
Zachary Jacobs, euphonium
Second Prize: $200
Zachary Jacobs is a sophomore euphonium player at Saratoga High School. He started playing euphonium in 5th grade at Saratoga Elementary, and moved on to march in the Redwood Middle bands under Vick Wynant. Zachary has studied with brass teacher Becky Dugan for the past three years and currently is studying euphonium with tuba player Tony Clements. He plays in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Jazz band II at Saratoga High, and has also attended the CBDA state honor bands. Zachary is also principle euphonium player in the Saratoga Tuba Quartet. In the past, he has soloed with the Saratoga Community Band, and was a featured soloist with the Santa Clara County Band Directors Association Honor Band in 2008.
Edgar Woo, piano
Third Prize: $100
Edgar Woo has participated in events such as the annual East Bay Music Festival, the first CCMC (Crowden Center for Music in the Community) Salon at the Crowden Music Center in Berkeley, and the U.S. Open Piano Competition, taking third place. Edgar also performs Piano Duo music with his partner Kevin Goh and in 2007 took on the name The Kepska Piano Duo. In the summer of 2007, the Kepska Duo was invited to perform among other prestigious Duos from around the world in the SFMF 2007 Salkind International Piano Duo Festival in its junior division. This year, the Kepska Duo will be performing again with SFMF during this year’s summer festival.
Edgar enjoys playing the piano and has studied under his teacher Anna Baker for 10 years. He enjoys playing a variety of classical, Latin and jazz music. He also plays the trumpet in the Castro Valley High Marching Band and the Castro Valley High Symphonic Band under the direction of Cynde Meyer.