Senior trumpet player David Shields, junior clarinetist Jason Ajmo, and sophomore trumpet player Michael Markus have been selected for the North Jersey Area Band.

The young musicians said West Essex Band Director John Scozzaro notified them of the good news over the weekend and they already attended one rehearsal this week. The boys, who auditioned for the group, will perform with 200 of the best northern New Jersey musicians on Jan. 15, 2012 at Mount Olive High School.

The 200 musicians for the group were selected from Essex, Bergen, Passaic and Sussex counties."This is great for other musicians to see how hard work pays off and inspire them to do well," Scozzaro said.

All three boys said they are honored to be selected.

"I am looking forward to playing with all of the great musicians," said Jason from North Caldwell.

"The music itself is more challenging," noted Michael of Roseland.

"It is an honor to play with such talented people. Since all of the students are talented musicians, the rehearsals focus more on the musicality and the hardest chords, said David of North Caldwell.

David was selected as a member of the wind ensemble, the higher level of the two Area Band musical groups. Jason and Michael were selected for the Concert Band.