ROSE PARADE PICKS THOUSAND OAKS HIGH BAND TO PLAY IN '99.Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer These days, life is as sweet as the smell of a dozen roses for members of the Thousand Oaks High School Thousand Oaks High School is a high school established in 1962 and located in Thousand Oaks, California. It is a California Distinguished School, and offers curriculum at all levels for Thousand Oaks students. The mascot is the lancer. Lancers lanc·er n. 1. A cavalryman armed with a lance. 2. A member of a regiment originally armed with lances. 3. lancers (used with a sing. verb) a. A kind of quadrille. b. Band and Color Guard. New Year's Day New Year's Day, among ancient peoples the first day of the year frequently corresponded to the vernal or autumnal equinox, or to the summer or winter solstice. In the Middle Ages it was celebrated among Christians usually on Mar. 25. 1999, the more than 200 high school band students will march down Colorado Avenue in Pasadena in the granddaddy of all parade routes, representing one of only 14 high schools in the 110th annual Rose Parade. ``I've dreamed of this ever since I was a freshman. This will be the first time our school goes and it's a great honor,'' said Kristin Simpson, a trumpet player and the band president. Simpson represented the group at the Conejo Valley Unified School District Conejo Valley Unified School District or CVUSD is a school district in Ventura County. It serves Thousand Oaks, California and its subsections Newbury Park and Westlake Village. board meeting this week when the trustees presented the band with a plaque and 16 sets of a dozen red roses celebrating their selection. On Wednesday, Simpson passed out the long-stem, ruby-red roses to her band mates. ``The first thing I wanted to know was if I would be able to go, too,'' said Simpson, a graduating senior. ``This year's seniors will.'' Over the past nine years, band director Bill Hoehne has transformed the Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. band into one of the state's top-rated groups. Each year he has applied to the prestigious parade - and with every rejection he pushed the students to a higher level, each year capturing more honors in local and regional competitions. ``Then one day, representatives from the Tournament of Roses surprised us in the middle of rehearsal,'' said Hoehne. ``You know, other events can be distinguished, but there is no more prestigious parade for a band with more exposure than this.'' Thousand Oaks High School will be one of 22 bands to march in the 1999 parade - 14 high schools in the country, two international high school bands and six bands that return each year, including the Salvation Army Salvation Army, Protestant denomination and international nonsectarian Christian organization for evangelical and philanthropic work. Organization and Beliefs The Salvation Army has established branches in 100 countries throughout the world. and Pasadena City College Honors bands, and the two conference bands representing the schools participating in the Rose Bowl football game. ``Thousand Oaks High is one of the outstanding bands in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . That's why they were selected,'' said Allan Munnecke, chairman of the music committee for this year's Tournament of Roses. After extensive review and personal visits to sites throughout the state, the committee made its announcement last month. ``Southern California is really one of the most competitive (regions). We have so many wonderful bands in this area, it's tough,'' he added. In addition to marching in Marching In is a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov. The story was written at the request of the US publication 'High Fidelity', with the stipulation that it be 2,500 words long, set twenty-five years in the future and deal with an aspect of sound recording. the parade, the bands selected have a chance to perform at the four-day Band Fest before audiences of up to 4,000 people from around the world and to meet musicians from all parts of the country. ``I think it's the highest honor we could ever achieve and I'm so excited to be able to attend,'' said Sarah Cochran, 16, a high school junior and clarinet clarinet, musical wind instrument of cylindrical bore employing a single reed. The clarinet family comprises all single-reed instruments, including the saxophone. The predecessor of the modern clarinet was the simpler chalumeau, which J. C. player who practiced her instrument during a wind ensemble class in the band room Wednesday. ``After working hard for four years, it's going to be a nice way to end,'' said fellow high school junior Suzy Reuben, 17. The group will continue its regular intense practice schedule - through pupil-free days and district holidays. But director Hoehne assures that the real work won't start until next fall. With most parade routes hovering hov·er intr.v. hov·ered, hov·er·ing, hov·ers 1. To remain floating, suspended, or fluttering in the air: gulls hovering over the waves. 2. around two miles, the 5.5-mile route will be a challenge. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Ran in Conejo Edition only) Kristin Simpson, right, passes out roses to fellow band members at Thousand Oaks High School. Bob Halvorsen/Daily News |
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