Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Football coach Butch Cattolico warms up his baton while bassoonist Andrew Lowenthal and Vice Principal Craig Heimbichner prepare for a concert.

Symphonic band scores a touchdown

By Shari Kaplan

Touchdown in May, Los Gatos High School's musical salute to football and its heroes, features some surprises in the lineup of its May 10 concert.

Joining the Wildcat Symphonic Band and the San Jose Wind Symphony is Vice Principal of Discipline Craig Heimbichner, who will perform "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin. As an added treat, head football coach Butch Cattolico will be turning in his whistle and playbook for a baton as he stands before the band as guest conductor.

Heimbichner, who has been playing and studying music since early childhood, is a concert pianist who has performed mainly solo pieces in venues from Washington to Southern California. In 1988, he served as master of ceremonies for the first National Video Conference on Piano Teaching at California State University, Sacramento.

He said he is particularly looking forward to performing at Touchdown in May because he gets to use a rebuilt, refinished Steinway grand piano and will be accompanied by the San Jose Wind Symphony.

"It's just thrilling to play on that [piano]. And it's a piece that I love; I've played 'Rhapsody' many times, including back in high school," Heimbichner said.

Following several rehearsals, Heimbichner said he feels prepared and excited to tickle the ivories. "My wife is my harshest musical critic, and she's pleased," he added.

Cattolico, head football coach since coach Charlie Wedemeyer retired 10 years ago due to Lou Gehrig's disease, said he is looking forward to his conducting stint but is thankful he is only leading one song--a march.

"I'm just there to keep the tempo and set the mood," Cattolico said, adding that he made sure the musicians knew the piece well in case he drops the baton or makes some other mistake: "They said they'll just keep on playing!

"The band's always supportive of our athletic events, so it's only fair that we're supportive of them," he said.

According to band leader Judy Bingman, each year one outstanding senior band member is chosen to solo with the Wind Symphony. This year that honor goes to bassoonist Andrew Lowenthal, who will perform a concerto. Lowenthal is also a member of the California Youth Symphony.

Touchdown in May begins at 6:30 p.m. on May 10 with a dessert reception of punch and homemade pie by the Band Boosters club. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Donations are $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens. Proceeds help finance the band's upcoming trip to England for the London Parade Festival on New Year's Day. Proceeds also benefit Charlie Wedemeyer, who along with his wife Lucy, will be special guests at the Touchdown.

For information, call 354-2730.