photo by Victoria Sanchez
Staff member Colleen Ryan is Chair of the National JA (Juvenile Arthritis) Alliance, and co-chair of 2013 National JA Conference in Anaheim, CA. Colleen just returned from the 2012Â National JA Conference in St. Louis where she moderated panels and presented the JA Awards of Excellence.
Alumnus Jason Lo just finished his master’s degree in Piano Performance from USC, and will begin his DMA studies, also in Piano Performance at USC this fall.
Last April, he won first place in the Music Teachers’ Association of California’s regional audition for Southern California and took first place in the statewide competition. Jason was also invited to be a guest piano soloist with the Cerritos High School Wind Symphony, for their European tour. Performances included an adjudicated music festival in Paris, and concerts in London, culminating in a performance at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
As we move closer to August, there is more progress in the construction of the new entry and pavilion.
The Pavilion is coming along. Much of the Pavilion will be glass. The walls going up will hold multimedia equipment and be the backdrop for Bob Cole’s personal Steinway which will find its permanent home in the Pavilion.
The ramp down to the practice rooms and new sidewalk are just about ready to be poured.
Construction continues throughout the summer. The linked photos show panoramic views (though distorted) of the new entry, Front View, and new pavilion and amphitheater, Pavilion. Crews are grading the dirt in preparation for pouring concrete on the new ramp down to the practice rooms.
photo by Laura Pluth
Lowell Liebermann, one of America’s most frequently performed and recorded living composers, sent his congratulations to Christopher Maldonado for winning the BCCM concerto competition playing his second concerto.
The brass students were treated to a visit from Yamaha Atelier representatives yesterday. The reps brought samples of their entire inventory including professional models to school for the students to play. The report back from Yamaha is that they were impressed with our “seriously talented players.”
James Barrera’s sax students visited the Yamaha Atelier this afternoon. They are pictured here with Yamaha Winds Product Manager Jon Goldman. The students had great discussions about product design, the music industry, and general instrument discussions. Yamaha will bring a team over visit with the Brass students next week.
Coleachella, our extravaganza of current students and alumni rock/jazz/alt bands on Friday, August 31, 2012, now has interest from 16 bands! It is shaping up to be a fun afternoon/evening of visiting with friends, hearing great music, helping our student organizations, and bringing together BCCM students and alumni.
Please save the date and come if you can. The concert–marathon–is free. Best guess is that we’ll start at 4:00 and run into the late evening.
Dolfo Picanço has been elected Collegiate Province Representative of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia for Province 22.
The Music Resource Center received a much-needed update this week with the addition of comfortable study spaces. We added two lounge areas with comfy chairs just in time to write term papers and study for finals. WiFi access is available and we’ll be installing power strips for laptops in all areas.
