Musical brothers take to the stage

FAMILY AFFAIR—Camarillo residents David Gatchel, 12, left, and his brother, James, 15, have been selected to play in the Ventura County Honor Band. David will play clarinet with the middle school honor band, while James will play French horn with the high school group during a Feb. 27 concert at Buena High School in Ventura. IRIS SMOOT Acorn Newspapers Camarillo brothers and musicians James and David Gatchel have each earned a place in the Ventura County Honor Band.

The band, made up of middle and high school students from the county, will perform at 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27 at Buena High School in Ventura.

David, 12, a sixth-grader at Monte Vista Middle School, was the only Pleasant Valley School District student picked for the middle school honor band.

Likewise, James, 15, was the only Adolfo Camarillo High School student named to the high school honor band. James, a freshman, performed with the middle school honor band for three years while he was a student at Monte Vista.

"Our house is abuzz with excitement," said Karen Gatchel, James and David's mother. "They practiced hard all summer, and I'm proud of them both."

David plays clarinet in the band, as well as violin, piano and tenor saxophone.

James plays French horn in the band, the mellophone for the school marching band and some piano.

Their mother is a music teacher, and their father, Richard, is their "biggest fan and most loyal supporter," Karen Gatchel said.

"Sometimes it's hard to find time . . . to practice," she said. "Someone's always playing something."

David was happy to make the honor band.

"It feels great that I'm the only one (from Monte Vista), but sometimes it's kind of sad that nobody else made it from our school or district," David said.

The Monte Vista student said he doesn't have a favorite instrument and wouldn't mind learning more in the future.

"It's just like any other person who likes sports. It's something they do in their spare time and love doing. I love playing music," David said.

He is looking forward to playing at the same venue as his brother. The middle school students perform before the older musicians. The brothers played together about two years ago in an after-school advanced band concert.

"I've been watching him play in the honor band for three years," David said of James. "I've wanted to go and do the same thing he's been doing."

Monte Vista music teacher Patricia Copsey has been impressed with David's progress.

"He's done a great job," Copsey said. "He had to compete against mostly seventh- and eighth-graders."

James first wanted to play French horn when he was 4 and started playing when he was 10. It is considered one of the more difficult brass instruments to play because it has a small mouthpiece.

The Camarillo freshman, who is taught by ACHS music department chair John Stavas, enjoys playing music with a big group of people.

"I enjoy creating music, the sound of the French horn and being able to work with others to create one big sound and make a piece come to life," said James.

He would like to try out for the Tournament of Roses high school honor band that plays in the streets of Pasadena during the New Year's Day parade. James also plans to audition for a state honor band.

He said he doesn't want to slack off just because he's made the county band four straight years.

"It's definitely an honor, but I kind of make expectations of myself to live up to that honor, too," James said. "I always want to work hard and achieve the next level."