Saratoga robotics team advances to world championships

The San Jose Wind Symphony, seen here performing at a Fourth of July celebration in Los Gatos, will close out its season May 19 with a program called “Fire/Light” at the McAfee Performing Arts Center at Saratoga High School.

Robotics champs

The Saratoga High School VEX Robotics Team 95071X advanced to the 2024 VEX robotics championship in Dallas April 25-27 after setting records at a regional competition held earlier that month.

The team received the excellence award at the North California Region State VEX Robotics Championship, in addition to an undefeated run at the three-day U.S. Open Robotics Championship that took place in March. Team 95071X is among the 8% of teams at the regional competition that secured a spot in the world championships, according to a press release from the Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District.

Wind symphony concert

San Jose Wind Symphony will perform “Fire/Light,” its final concert of the season on May 19. at the McAfee Performing Arts Center at Saratoga High School, 20300 Herriman Ave.

The event features the symphony, conducted by David Vickerman, and Sameer Gupta, a European-trained percussionist who is also fluent in Indian classical music and American jazz. Gupta will play the tabla as the symphony performs Reena Esmail’s “Chamak.”

“Mr. Gupta’s unique musical sound combines traditional and modern improvisational styles,” the symphony’s website reads.

The concert is set for 3 p.m. Tickets are $22 for general admission, $17 for seniors and $7 for students at sjws.org.