Musicians perform at CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Honors Festival

Photo courtesy of Lily Eibert

Hailey Siu, Staff writer
January 17, 2023

Ten students attended the CSULB Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Honors Festival from Jan. 6-8. Festival participants learned from professional musicians and performed in a concert at the end of the festival.

During the three days of the festival, students were able to learn in a different environment. Since students were split into smaller groups, the teachers were able to offer more specific help to each student, like giving tips and tricks to practice more efficiently or correcting their technique and posture.

Although the time constraint of the event meant students had to work faster than they typically did, the teachers helped them through any problems.

“It was really different [from school] because it was a lot more fast-paced, but at the same time, people were a lot more patient. Even if you were struggling, they just really wanted you to succeed,” oboist junior Kenia Hernandez said.

The students’ attitudes towards the event also differed from their normal school practices.

“You can really tell the difference between school band and an honor band because everybody in honor band wants to [be there],” trombonist senior Isaiah Pasaporte said. “Everyone has more desire to practice and play.”

Through all the new experiences at the festival, participants came together to put on a special show in the end.

“The [festival’s concert] was a lot more serious because we were playing with better people. I thought everyone played really well,” cellist junior Nathan Soo said. “It was inspiring playing with people that are a lot better than me from different schools.”