Phillip Schroeder, Robert Parson, and Gabriel Rolon, Rahway High School Band members who will play in Region II Honor Bands, with Rolon also chosen for first chair in percussion in the All State Symphonic Band. (Photo courtesy of Rahway High School)
RAHWAY — Gabriel Rolon, a sophomore at Rahway High School, recently auditioned and was accepted into the New Jersey All State Symphonic Band as first chair in percussion. This is a rare honor, the third such student in the past 15 year.
To attain this honor, Rolon competed against 150 of the best instrumentalists from schools all over the state. The All State Bands will perform at NJPAC on Saturday, Feb. 25 conducted by Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner from Cornell University. This performance will follow students gathering at Rutgers in New Brunswick for two days of rehearsals.
Earlier, at the Regional level of competition, Rolon and two other Rahway band students auditioned and were chosen for the New Jersey Region II Honors Bands. Freshman trumpet player, Phillip Schroeder, was selected to perform with the Region II Symphonic Band, Robert Parson was chosen for the Region II Symphonic Orchestra on bassoon and Rolon attained first place as principal percussionist with the Region II Wind Ensemble.
