Ceremony Planned to Honor School Band

It’s the kind of ceremony typically reserved for star athletes--trustees coming to Thousand Oaks High School to laud the hometown heroes for their accomplishments.

But Monday’s fete doesn’t involve football players or the field hockey squad. Instead, it recognizes the high school’s Lancer Band and Color Guard and director Bill Hoehne.

The nearly 200 band members have scooped up 19 trophies this school year from tournaments across the state.

Performing an adaptation of the musical “Chess”--complete with saucy stepping and flying flags--the band has won honors at the Arcadia Band Review and Field Tournament, the Tournament of Champions and the Mount Carmel Invitational Tournament.

To give the band its due, Conejo Valley Unified School District trustees and Supt. Jerry Gross will present members with certificates of commendation Monday. Also at the party, parents and band boosters will have a chance to view a videotape of the band in action--performing in competition.

The awards ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium at 2323 Moorpark Road.