For the first time in the history of The Harker School, jazz bands from all three campuses came together for “An Evening of Jazz,” a major performance at the Blackford Theater in mid-March. Dressed to the nines, students spanning K-12 played fifteen standards, mixing suave and bluesy numbers with funkier, buoyant beats while alternating between solo performances and ensemble work.
The upper school’s The Harker School Jazz Band, directed by Chris Florio, led off with the energetic, trombone-heavy “I Got Rhythm,” by George and Ira Gershwin, and a dark and romantic rendition of “When Sunny Gets Blue,” featuring the vocals of Francesca Nagle, grade 12. The Lower School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Louis Hoffman, followed with the sweet “Tenor Madness,” the smoky “Killer Joe” and Charlie Parker’s “Now’s the Time,” with talented soloists who were barely taller than their instruments. The show was then handed off to the Middle School Jazz Band, directed by David Hart, whose medley of Sonny Rollins compositions included the tropical and airy “St. Thomas” and the blues number “Sunny Moon for Two.”
After intermission, the middle school group finished their Sonny Rollins medley with a new arrangement of “Doxy” that the group had been experimenting with in the days leading up to the show. After they finished with the catchy “Work Song,” by Nat Adderley, the upper schoolers retook the stage for a series of numbers designed to feature graduating seniors in their final major jazz concert. The rumbling, moody “A Mis Abuelos,” by Arturo Sandoval, gave way to Thelonius Monk and Cootie Williams’ melancholy “’Round Midnight” before Nagle returned to help the band finish off with Duke Ellington and Mack David’s “I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” the touching “Skylark” and “Smack Dab in the Middle.”
As the performance came to a close, the audience recognized each band with rapt applause, before all three groups crowded together on stage in a final, rousing rendition of “When the Saints (Go Marching In)”, bringing the evening to a close on a high note.
The first installment of the Harker Concert Series of 2011, held in early March, featured the MarcOlivio Duo, composed of violinists Marc Ramirez and Olivia Hajioff, playing a blend of crushing, heartbreaking and even carnivalesque Eastern European folks songs, art music, and a parody of Mozart’s work.
The MarcOlivia Duo has performed around the world, appearing on radio and television in North America, Europe and Asia, winning Fulbright fellowships, and enjoying a residency at the Tokyo College of Music. On March 9, however, they came to Nichols Auditorium and the audience, feted with sushi and wine, was treated to tunes adapted for two violins.
The concert began with a number of compositions by Béla Bartók, a 20th-century Hungarian composer who traveled through Eastern Europe, listening to and transcribing the folk songs of village communities before they disappeared and melted into a homogeneous global culture. Most of these numbers were short and sudden – thirty seconds of powerful, tragic, arresting, halting, despairing, jagged strikes, followed by ten second fearsomely frenetic and jubilant conclusions. Some were songs of Romanian bagpipes transliterated for violins; others mixed bittersweet reaching and trudging marches with maddeningly twisting, spiraling slashes.
After the most powerful numbers, the audience was paralyzed in frozen silence for several seconds before applauding, digesting the works. The concert finished, however, on somewhat of a lighter note: a blend of a parody and an ode to Mozart’s music, as the two performers wove through a number of his pieces, even using voice and whistling to mimic other instruments.
The Harker Concert Series continues with the Taylor Eigsti Trio March 25 and Areon Flutes, a Bay Area-based flute quartet, at Nichols Auditorium on May 27.
The first installment of the Harker Concert Series of 2011, held in early March, featured the MarcOlivio Duo, composed of violinists Marc Ramirez and Olivia Hajioff, playing a blend of crushing, heartbreaking and even carnivalesque Eastern European folks songs, art music, and a parody of Mozart’s work.
The MarcOlivia Duo has performed around the world, appearing on radio and television in North America, Europe and Asia, winning Fulbright fellowships, and enjoying a residency at the Tokyo College of Music. On March 9, however, they came to Nichols Auditorium and the audience, feted with sushi and wine, was treated to tunes adapted for two violins.
The concert began with a number of compositions by Béla Bartók, a 20th-century Hungarian composer who traveled through Eastern Europe, listening to and transcribing the folk songs of village communities before they disappeared and melted into a homogeneous global culture. Most of these numbers were short and sudden – thirty seconds of powerful, tragic, arresting, halting, despairing, jagged strikes, followed by ten second fearsomely frenetic and jubilant conclusions. Some were songs of Romanian bagpipes transliterated for violins; others mixed bittersweet reaching and trudging marches with maddeningly twisting, spiraling slashes.
After the most powerful numbers, the audience was paralyzed in frozen silence for several seconds before applauding, digesting the works. The concert finished, however, on somewhat of a lighter note: a blend of a parody and an ode to Mozart’s music, as the two performers wove through a number of his pieces, even using voice and whistling to mimic other instruments.
The Harker Concert Series continues with the Taylor Eigsti Trio March 25 and Areon Flutes, a Bay Area-based flute quartet, at Nichols Auditorium on May 27.
The first installment of the Harker Concert Series of 2011, held in early March, featured the MarcOlivio Duo, composed of violinists Marc Ramirez and Olivia Hajioff, playing a blend of crushing, heartbreaking and even carnivalesque Eastern European folks songs, art music, and a parody of Mozart’s work.
The MarcOlivia Duo has performed around the world, appearing on radio and television in North America, Europe and Asia, winning Fulbright fellowships, and enjoying a residency at the Tokyo College of Music. On March 9, however, they came to Nichols Auditorium and the audience, feted with sushi and wine, was treated to tunes adapted for two violins.
The concert began with a number of compositions by Béla Bartók, a 20th-century Hungarian composer who traveled through Eastern Europe, listening to and transcribing the folk songs of village communities before they disappeared and melted into a homogeneous global culture. Most of these numbers were short and sudden – thirty seconds of powerful, tragic, arresting, halting, despairing, jagged strikes, followed by ten second fearsomely frenetic and jubilant conclusions. Some were songs of Romanian bagpipes transliterated for violins; others mixed bittersweet reaching and trudging marches with maddeningly twisting, spiraling slashes.
After the most powerful numbers, the audience was paralyzed in frozen silence for several seconds before applauding, digesting the works. The concert finished, however, on somewhat of a lighter note: a blend of a parody and an ode to Mozart’s music, as the two performers wove through a number of his pieces, even using voice and whistling to mimic other instruments.
The Harker Concert Series continues with the Taylor Eigsti Trio March 25 and Areon Flutes, a Bay Area-based flute quartet, at Nichols Auditorium on May 27.
The second installment of the Harker Concert Series brought the Taylor Eigsti Trio to the stage at Nichols Auditorium on March 25. Eigsti, the 26-year-old jazz piano phenom and Grammy nominee who started leading bands as early as age 12, was joined on this evening by bassist Reuben Rogers, a collaborator with Wynton Marsalis and Roy Hargrove, among others, and drummer Colin McDaniel, 19, a fellow at the Brubeck Institute at the University of the Pacific.
The trio began the first of their two sets with an instrumental interpretation of Sachal Vasandani’s “Please Mr. Ogilvy,” and would perform a diverse mix of covers and Eigsti’s own works as the show progressed. Eigsti’s dexterity was apparent from the outset, but his technical ability was very nearly overshadowed by his expressive syncopation and note choice. Rarely was this illustrated better than in the trio’s rendition of Mussorgsky’s “Promenade” from “Pictures at an Exhibition,” quite possibly the highlight of the first set. At first blush an odd choice of song for a jazz concert, the beloved piece sounded right at home in the trio’s capable hands, as did their cover of Coldplay’s “Daylight.”
What impressed about Eigsti more than anything, however, was the deft sense of placement. Be it a blistering chromatic run, a rapid succession of octaves or even a flurry of closed fists banging against the keyboard, every technique in Eigsti’s vast arsenal was wisely chosen and never overused.
As a special treat, Harker’s own Dave Hart, the middle school music teacher and trumpeter who formed a childhood band with Eigsti, was welcomed onstage to perform Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” with the band during the second set. Although visibly humbled by the gesture, Hart effused confidence during his extended, skillful improvisations.
Through it all, Eigsti made sure that the talents of his bandmates were as much a part of the show as the marquee name. Rogers’ many solos showcased his astonishing grasp of both theory and feel, and the interplay between him and Eigsti was always a joy to watch. Likewise, the young McDaniel seems destined for great things, his work behind the kit tasteful, layered and, yes, mature.
The week of March 14- 18 was upper school multicultural week, a celebration of cultures from around the world. The collective effort of well over a hundred students, guided by members of the Global Empowerment and Outreach (GEO) Club, included a multicultural carnival, assembly and dress-up day.
At the multicultural carnival, upper school students ran booths showcasing different countries. The event was held in the Nichols Hall atrium and accompanying activities included bocce ball games, a jazz combo, henna tattoo art and a plethora of multicultural food. Countries represented included Argentina, Armenia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Romania, Scotland, Sweden, Syria, United States and Wales.
“Although we study about [different cultures] in history classes, getting a hands-on experience is what makes the multicultural carnival special,” commented Muralikrishna Joshi, grade 11. “It is a great way to learn.”
In the multicultural assembly, students and teachers performed a multitude of acts, including an Argentine Tango, several songs in foreign languages, a Korean pop dance medley, two Indian dance numbers, and pieces on the guitar and harp. Julian Wise, grade 12 and Tristan Killeen, grade 11, emceed the assembly.
The week brought rays of sunshine to the campus in a rainy week and students thrived on the varied activities. “I think it was amazing that people were not only proudly displaying their own cultures, but also learning and enjoying others’ cultures,” said Richard Fan, grade 10.
Hot potatoes, lucky ducks, jigs and shamrock seas, oh my! The lower school celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day by participating in a series of themed events. All day before the spirit assembly, fourth and fifth grade areas were scoured by students looking for hidden shamrocks to exchange for points at the St. Paddy’s Day assembly, which included a number of celebratory games.
In one contest, ten students from each homeroom were selected to play hot potato in separate circles. The students passed the potatoes along as quickly as possible until the music stopped, and whoever was left holding the potato was out! In a game of balance, five students from each homeroom were asked to navigate the Shamrock Sea (moving from one point to another) without falling in.
In the final game, five students from each homeroom ran in the “Lucky Duck Relay.” Each homeroom formed a group at the spoke of a wheel, with the hub being a tub of rubber ducks. Each student would run to the tub and then attempt to balance the duck on his or her head on the way back to the group; if it fell they had to start again at the tub.
The most spirited of the students who dressed up were selected, escorted on stage, and awarded points for their costumes and jigging abilities. All of the students had a great time and enjoyed their opportunity to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.
In mid-March, Harker hosted a meeting of approximately 40 student-politicians from Junior States of America (JSA). The one-day JSA convention included thought talks; open-ended discussions on certain questions and topics; debates, which are formal arguments on resolutions; and a keynote address by Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager. The topics discussed included rights of corporations, the Dream Act, Second Amendment interpretation, California districting and many others.
Yeager discussed how politicians are having a real impact on the community, including fighting childhood obesity and exposure to first and second hand smoke in public places.
Govinda Dasu, grade 11, mayor of the Golden Gate Region of Northern California JSA and one of the organizers, said, “It was truly a great experience. Not only did we get greater numbers than expected, but the thought talks and debates went truly in-depth into both the practical and ideological implications of the resolutions. The event exceeded my expectations in both quality and quantity.”
Jerrica Liao, grade 5, continues to improve her swordsmanship at regional and national tournaments. Liao fenced in the Super Youth Circuit, a national points event held in San Francisco the weekend of March 19-20, finishing third in Youth-10 (Y10) girls foil, out of 21 competitors. She won five out of six pool bouts and two elimination matches before being eliminated in the semifinals. In the Y12 girls foil event, the bouts were tougher; Liao still won three out of five in pools, but drew a very tough elimination bout against the number 14-ranked girl in the U.S., and was eliminated, finishing 17 out of 33 competitors. As of March 21, Liao is ranked number 10 in the U.S. in Y10 girls foil and 39th in Y12 girls foil. In February, Liao finished third at the Regional Youth Circuit, in San Francisco in Y10 girls foil and sixth in Y12 girls foil.
Katherine Zhu, grade 5, was named Player of the Year in the 10-year-old girl division by the USkids Golf Bay Area Winter Tour 2010, after she competed in the USkids Bay Area winter tour championship in early March in Half Moon Bay. Zhu was in the last group of 190 players and finished her windy, rainy round at 6:30 p.m., in the dark. She eagled the fifth hole (par 5) and finished with 38 shots. Zhu ranked number one following the event for the winter tournament session and thus received the player of the year award. In late breaking news, Zhu finished first in the Girls First Flight of the Junior Tour of Northern California – Spring Series III, at Diablo Grande Golf Course March 26-27 with a combined score of 169. Junior events include ages up to age 18, making Zhu’s effort all the more remarkable.
The Triple Helix Online, the online journal of The Triple Helix, Inc., recently published several stories written by Harker students. The Triple Helix, Inc. (TTH), is an international nonprofit organization made up of students from universities worldwide that specializes in journalism in the fields of science, society, business, ethics and law.
Harker is the first and so far only high school chapter of TTH, which has 27 chapters in universities all over the world and receives funding from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The partnership was kick-started by Jennifer Ong ’06, who is TTH’s chief operating officer. Students Naomi So, grade 12, and Pavitra Rengarajan, grade 11, act as the editors-in-chief for the Harker chapter, and collaborate with TTH senior editors to prepare Harker student submissions for publication.
Basu and Tandon had their writings made into posters, which were displayed at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., which took place Feb. 17-21. The two students were in attendance at the meeting as the guests of Triple Helix. They attended a number of workshops and met members of TTH from other universities, as well as attending talks with top researchers.
Anita Chetty, science department chair, who accompanied Basu and Tandon to Washington, said The Triple Helix offers a way for students to parlay their interests in subjects such as science and technology into an avenue for publication. “They like to look at the issues,” she said. “They’re not necessarily interested in research. They want to do more of a commentary.”
The Harker chapter’s print edition of the Triple Helix magazine will be distributed at the Harker Research Symposium on April 23.