25 groups at Performing Arts Night at Fox

Twenty-five musical groups from St. Louis Public Schools were featured last month at the annual Performing Arts Night at the Fox Theatre. The event was held Sunday, April 27, from 7-9 p.m.

Young Saint Louis.com couldn't cover all of the 25 groups. So, this story will focus on two unique groups that performed: the McKinley CJA Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Madison Elementary Honors Choir.

They are examples of the wide variety of musical opportunities for students in the St. Louis Public Schools.

At the McKinley Classical Junior Academy, middle school kids play a variety of wind and percussion instruments. Although set up like a symphony orchestra, there are no stringed instruments.

And co-conductor Jason Harris uses some unusual practice techniques to get the most out of the players. At sometime during a practice while the group is playing, Harris will turn off all lights in the practice hall. He expects the players to continue playing while not being able to see their music.

Co-conductor Bob Dorries said the "lights-out" technique helps convince kids they know the music well enough without having to refer to printed music in front of them. Although a shock to spectators, the kids take it in stride and continue on without skipping a beat.

Ally Hany

Twelve-year-old Ally Hany plays trumpet in the ensemble. In addition to the ensemble's practice schedule, she practices at home an hour a day. She also takes private lessons in the summer.

Asked about her best musical experience, she cited the opportunity to play music with her grandfather. She said, "He's the best trombone player that I know." She admits she has a hard time trying to keep up with him in their trombone/trumpet duets.

Ally said she'd like to have a career as a jazz musician.

Jasmine Furnace

Fourteen-year-old Jasmine Furnace started playing in the 6th grade. Her first instrument was a soprano clarinet. Now in the 8th grade, she plays a bass clarinet in the ensemble.

She said she likes to practice. "Sometimes I practice even before doing my homework. That's a bad thing. Then I have to stay up late to finish my homework," she said.

She said her parents wouldn't allow her to skip the homework.

Yan Zhu

Fourteen-year-old Yan Zhu said she plays both the flute and the piccolo. She said she takes private lessons all year long and practices from 30- to 45-minutes a day at home.

She said she loves music but admits she had a bad experience in a recent concert the ensemble played in Jefferson City. "It was real, real cold and we didn't know we were going to play outside. My fingers didn't move well," she said.

Yan hopes for a career combining physics research and playing music professionally.

John Berger

Thirteen-year-old John Berger plays the alto saxophone. He said his best musical experience has been "the entire three years I've played in the ensemble." Asked about any bad experiences, he added, "I've had some bad moments, but no bad experiences."

He said he'd like to play music in college but plans on a career as an engineer.

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The Fox Night solo number performed by the Madison Elementary Honor Choir was written and scored by conductor Mark Clark. Titled "Do The Right Thing," the number has an up-tempo sound and choir members do a variety of moves in time with the music.

The lyrics for their number reflect Clark's emphasis on character-building that runs through the entire choir organization.

Selection of members for the choir is based on three principles: Discipline, Confidence and Performance.

After applying, the kids have to get an endorsement from their teachers as to their character, participation and teamwork skills. They also have to demonstrate confidence in their speech, posture and attitude, Clark said.

The final step is an audition where the kids have to look like performers, sing like performers and "do their best," Clark said.

Autumn Jacobs

Eleven-year-old Autumn Jacobs said her best musical experience came when Clark took the choir to a studio to record a CD. She said, "We sang twice before we got it right."

The 5th grader said she comes from a musical family. The family includes singers as well as members who play string and wind instruments.

 

Nicholas Usoroh

Ten-year-old Nicholas Usoroh said the choir sings in school concerts "for every season and during Black History Month." He's been singing for three years and also plays the piano and the recorder. He said his mother helps him with his piano playing.

The 5th grader said he hopes to continue both singing and play instruments. Being a professional singer is one of his potential career goals.

Eleven-year-old Carlos Prado also would like to be a professional singer. He said he's taken piano lessons. But, he said, "I want to take guitar lessons but I don't have a guitar yet."

Carlos Prado

The 5th grader said he practices his singing at home "every time I'm on the computer, which is often." Carlos said he even "sings at night when I'm having trouble going to sleep." Asked if that helps him sleep, he said, "Sometimes."

He said he's really enjoyed music "ever since I've had Mr. Clark."

Clark is St. Louis-born. He graduated from the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) High School. "I was a freshman the year that school opened so I was in the first class to go all four years there," he said.

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