The Fountain Hills High School music program had five students named to the Central Region Honor Band this year, including Sam Aker, Seth Aker, Gwyn Goltry, Sydney Goltry and Andrew Merica.

An audition band including students from dozens of central Arizona high schools, it’s usually an honor for just one or two students to be selected from a single school.

Senior and four-year member Seth Aker played tuba for the Honor Band, as did second year member and sibling, Sam Aker.

Both Gwyn and Sydney Goltry are second year members of the band, with the former playing trombone and the latter playing oboe.

This is Andrew Merica’s first year with the Falcons and his first year performing trombone for the Honor Band.

The concert was hosted out of Mountain View High School in Mesa on Feb. 20. The guest conductor for this year’s band was Patrick Sheridan, who Truby said is one of the most celebrated artists in his instrument’s (tuba) history.

“He has performed more than 3,000 concerts in over 50 countries in venues ranging from the White House to NBA halftime shows to the Hollywood Bowl,” Truby continued.

“I can only imagine the thrill the tuba players of the 2016 Central Region Honor Band felt under Mr. Sheridan’s baton. There they were, under the lights, performing for one of their all-time tuba idols.”

These students are now eligible to audition for the State Honor Band.