The Spirit of Cerritos: Meet Cerritos High's Austin Ho

Editor's Note: Patch will be posting musician profiles and features in anticipation of the  . 

My name is Austin Ho and I am a freshman trumpet player in the Wind Symphony.

I am very excited to have the chance to play in the 2012 London Summer Olympics. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to be able to travel and to experience foreign culture. I am so proud to be part of the Wind Symphony, being the only high school to represent California. I have a reputation to keep up. The Wind Symphony, prior to my admission, went to Carnegie Hall in New York. This means I have to practice even harder to be able to stay in this group.

To join the Cerritos High School Wind Symphony, I had to go through an audition. I was very nervous. During marching band, I focused on playing drums, so I neglected my primary instrument, the trumpet. So when we received the audition piece, I felt nervous, scared even. The only way to accomplish what I want, however, was to work hard. During the day of the audition, I was so anxious to get it over with. I went in to the audition, played the music, and left. The whole experience, learning the music, meeting new people, the audition, was just incredible. Ultimately, I made it! My hard work paid off. Now, I am now a part of this elite group of musicians, and now I can say that I am a member of the Cerritos High School Wind Symphony.

My passion for music starts when I was 7. My sister and I and took piano lessons together. In the 6^th grade, I learned how to play trumpet. I had a lot of difficulty learning how to play the instrument. It was challenging for me because I could not play a real note for a week. I was so discouraged, because my peers were so ahead of me. To get better, I stayed after practices to get extra help from my teacher, got support from my parents, and practiced every day. In the end, I made it through my first year of trumpet successfully. In middle school, I continued to play trumpet, but I continued to expand my knowledge of other instruments.

I was once told by an instructor, “Your life is now homework and band.” I am still told that by my mentors today. I had to give up much of my social life. I was spending more time at school than my family. I could not go out with my friends because I had practice after school. I missed my cousin’s wedding because I had a field show that day. I had to dedicate most of my time to practicing and rehearsals. I gave up many things, but got so much in return. I met some of my best friends through band. I learned what it feels like to be the one on the stage, instead of the audience. Now I have the chance to travel, all because of music.

Today, music has been a huge influence on me. I learned so much from my peers, my teachers, and from hard work. One thing I have learned from playing music is that we have to work together to create this art. One person cannot be a hero of the ensemble; we together have to listen to each other, and have to support each other. Together we make this band a symphony. Together we can achieve greatness. The American industrialist Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

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Donor and Sponsorship Opportunities to Support the CHS Wind Symphony Still Available

Community members and local businesses are encouraged to donate funds toward this historic trip. Donor and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Fundraising Coordinator Leslie J. Machado at (562) 577-1802 or via email at lesliejmachado@gmail.com.