The first Honors program for the South Bay School of Music Arts was held
in 1986. We have grown in many ways over the twenty years.
Our first six concerts were presented in our own concert hall
Then we moved to the Milpitas Senior Center and then to Milpitas High
School to accommodate a larger audience.
Many students have participated in the Honors program with a variety of
different instruments: piano, flute, clarinet, euphonium, snare drum, drum
set, trumpet, saxophone, recorder, voice and guitar.
It began as an intense study of musical composition's) intended for the
student's particular instrument.
A test of music theory was added in 1991, scale and rudiment technique
in 1992, and sight-reading in 1994. All these elements make the students
selected for the Honors program our most comprehensive well-rounded
musicians.
Students are also required to research the composer(s) of their pieces
and read and learn about the style of the composition.
Students have the opportunity to receive awards, in various categories
of the Honors program; such as the individual caption awards, the Smithback
Award, and eventually the opportunity to be inducted into our Hall of Fame.
We are very pleased to be able to bring to you this quality formal program
on an annual basis. Here at the South Bay School of Music Arts we have a
passion for the creative arts and provide high quality education and
experience with a commitment to excellence.
Past Winners
Top Scorers
Sophia Wang 1986, Francine Richards 1987 & 1988, Maki Bando 1989 & 1990.
Smithback Winners
Aaron Goldstein 1991, Erwin Gonzalo 1992, Aaron Goldstein 1993, Daniel Goldstein
1994, Erwin Gonzalo 1995, Sherie Castillo 1996, Bendik Kleveland 1997, Joey
Trombly 1998, Jennifer Bando 1999, Rie Onodera 2000, Sonia Bui 2001, Sonia Bui
2002, Sonia Bui 2003, Kelly Duong 2004, Nguyen La 2005, J.R. Imperial 2006,
Martin Quintal 2007.
Hall of Fame
Aaron Goldstein, Maki Bando, Joel Aguilera, Sherie Castillo, Erwin Gonzalo,
Kathryn Lallana, Jennifer Bando, Rie Onodera, Sheila Castillo, Sonia Bui,
Nguyen La, and Richard Nguyen.
2008 Caption Awards
2008 Performers
Sarah Benton, piccolo; Joshua Jacoby, snare drum; Brittany
Huynh, piano; Anjali Menon, piano; Eric Pham, piano;
Kyle Nguyen, piano; Peter Hoang, piano; Tyler VanValkenburg,
piano; Linh Linh Mikutowicz, piano; Nicholas Nguyen, piano; Angela Chen, piano;
Helvia Taina, piano.