From Jan. 14-18, eight Burlingame student musicians — the most from any school in the San Mateo Union High School District — attended the 2026 California All-State Ensembles, an event that brings together the state’s best musicians and gives them the opportunity to learn from top experts.
Music Director Kyoko Yamamoto said the event was organized by the Orchestra/Band Directors Association and hosted about 10,000 attendees, including around 600 to 700 student performers.
According to sophomore Darren Tam, who played the trumpet in the Golden State Band at All-State, the audition piece for the event was released in May and due in the fall. After not qualifying last year, Tam was motivated to practice many hours a week in advance.
“It was a very tedious process, because last year I didn’t get in. So there was that sense of determination in order for me to get in this year,” Tam said.
Sophomore Shonna Foo, who played first violin in the string orchestra, said it took her nine hours to submit a respectable audition recording, a necessary step given the blind audition format.
“We together spent about a week every night coming back from school, recording for a few hours to get a good video to send in for the audition,” Foo said. “Because the audition itself is blind, you have to make sure that the sound quality is good, that you’re not messing up too much.”
According to Foo, the pieces rehearsed and performed at the convention were given to the students beforehand and had to be learned thoroughly before their arrival.
“We are given about three days at most to practice with our groups, and the music itself is hard, so it’s pretty crucial that you know what you’re doing and what you’re playing,” Food said. “Especially because going in, there’s a second audition for seating, and they’re expecting you to already know how to play all of them completely by yourself.”
For Tam, challenges he encountered included the difficulty of playing his instrument for long periods of time and the humbling experience of being surrounded by talented musicians.
“Being a top musician in this state, you really realize your skill level compared to everyone else. Because I was the last chair, I realized that I was actually pretty bad compared to everyone else,” Tam said. “So it was an experience in which I learned a lot from and so for next year, I’ll try to practice more.”
One benefit of the event was networking with both aspiring and established musicians.
“When you attend one of these conferences, it’s a big networking event. You really get to learn from people who are better than you,” Tam said.
As part of the orchestra band, Foo’s group was always the first to wake up and the last to leave, resulting in long hours of rehearsals every day.
“Rehearse with your ensemble for about three hours before going back for lunch, going back to rehearse for another three hours,” Foo said. “Then sometimes even watch concerts of other ensembles who are already finished before bed.”
Although Foo said she was nervous during her performances, her preparation and being surrounded by other musicians like herself helped her remain calm.
“It certainly was nerve-wracking. But when you practice so many times, surrounded by people who are probably more intimidating than those who are judging you, it’s definitely an experience,” Foo said. “But I’d say it was pretty fun.”
With the All-State Ensembles being a state-wide recognized event in which Burlingame’s program is represented, Yamamoto said it was very fulfilling to see her students’ success and passion.
“I really want my students to have opportunities to be recognized, and then that would expand them to find more connections, and then make friends,” Yamamoto said. “And then seeing them shine on stage, and then that’s my student, and it’s just such an incredible feeling.”
