At the end of January, the entire grade 5 class at The Harker School presented “Summer Daze: Scenes and Songs from a Rockin’ School Day.” Originally written by Janet Gardner, it was adapted for Harker by Jennifer Cowgill, the lower school performing arts teacher who also directed the play.
The musical starts in an “Average Family Kitchen,” and takes the audience through the beginning of the day (a scene featuring a song called “I’m in a Daze”), and then through a variety of classes, such as history, English, math, P.E. and choir. The song and dance performances accompanying the scenes each had its own unique spin on an aspect of a school day, with song titles such as “I Love My Locker” and “Cafeteria Confusion.” One of the big highlights of the play – which proved to be a delight throughout – was that the students portrayed Harker teachers in any scene a teacher was called for. For instance, Ashli Jain, grade 5, in the scene “The Beginning of the Day,” played Kristin Giammona, the elementary division head. Zohaid Valani, grade 5, portrayed Jared Ramsey, a grade five social studies teacher, in the scene “History Class.”
There were three showings of the musical, including a special performance for the rest of the lower school.
Harker Conservatory alumni reunited in late December for the fourth Alumni Conservatory Classic, held in the Nichols Hall auditorium, featuring alumni from as far back as 2004.
Instrumental talent on display included violinists Audrey Kwong ’07 and Stephanie Kim ’08, violist Warren Kwong ’11 and cellist Julia Shim ’10, who performed Felix Mendelssohn’s “String Quartet in f minor, Op. 80” to kick off the concert. Later, guitarist Roger Kim ’07 performed his own arrangement of Cole Porter’s “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.”
Among the many vocal performers onstage during the evening was Christina Li ’11, who performed an original song, titled “Run,” from her self-released album “Songs of Innocence,” with fellow 2011 grad Daisy Mohrman performing a dance to the song. Li later joined a large collection of former Cantilena members onstage to perform a selection of songs that included Abbie Betinis’ “Be Like the Bird,” which featured lyrics by Victor Hugo, the traditional “How Can I Keep From Singing” and “The Winter’s Night” by Nicholas Myers.
Other solo performances included “Breathe” from the Broadway musical “In the Heights,” by Siobhan Stevenson ’07, Andrew York’s “Letting Go” by guitarist Nikhil Parthasarathy ’11 and “Le Temps des Cathedrales” from the musical “Notre-Dame de Paris,” sung by Sean Avery-Martin ’11.
Guys’ Gig alumni closed the show with arranged versions of popular songs such as “In the End” by Linkin Park, and One Republic’s “All I Need” and “Good Life.”
At the end of January, the upper school Conservatory had its annual WinterSong concert. This spectacular performance features Bel Canto, an introductory choir at Harker for students grades 9-11 known for the many musical genres it explores. Several of these were featured at the show, including musical theater, pop and classical, the last of which was particularly rich this year due to two special guests: Cantilena – Harker’s “all-classical-all-the-time” women’s ensemble – and Camerata – a mixed classical, choral chamber ensemble, who peform essential works in various languages. Each group performed one piece at WinterSong this year, directed by Susan Nace. Between the various groups as well as the solo artist, students from every upper school grade level were represented at this year’s event.
In addition to collaborating with soloists, Bel Canto also joined forces with a few talented instrumentalists. Jennifer Cowgill, Bel Canto’s conductor and the show’s director, was particular enthusiastic about the group’s rendition of “Old Dan Tucker.” She said, “Everyone had a wonderful time singing this American folk song,” which was accompanied by the fiddle and the bass, played by Toni Woodruff and Jeffrey Kwong, grade 12. Kwong and Woodruff also joined Paul Woodruff, a performing arts aide, on two movements from Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”
While on Harker’s national parks field trip, Alexis Gauba, grade 7, received exciting news from her parents: she’d been accepted into the 2012 Western Division Junior High Girls Honor Choir!
“The audition process involved singing two scales to show range and intonation. We were also required to sing a song selected by them, ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee,’ and one song of my choice; I chose ‘Sebben Crudele,’ an Italian song. I prepared for the auditions by practicing the pieces over and over until they were perfect, and then I submitted the recordings. The waiting process was pretty nerve-racking,” said Gauba.
The audition process can be scary, and Dave Hart, a middle school instrumental music teacher, acknowledged the bravery needed to participate. “You never know what will happen with these types of auditions. The hard part is putting yourself out there and giving yourself a chance to be selected. You have to be willing to fail [in order] to create new and wonderful opportunities for yourself.”
The choir, part of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Western Conference, received auditions from up and down the West Coast, as well as from Arizona, Utah and Hawaii. According to Hart, “These conferences invite choral educators from around the West Coast to attend. Along with wonderful lectures and poster sessions, top educators are invited to work with [the honor choirs].” This year’s conference will be held in Reno, Nev., which means Gauba will have the chance to work with a variety of excellent choral educators when she travels there in February.
Hart participated in choirs such as this one when he was in school, and found the experience very rewarding. “It is special when you get a chance to spend time with other people who have a similar passion for music. When I heard about the ACDA Western Division Junior High Honor Choir, I was excited to offer the opportunity to audition to the members of my choir.”
Gauba said she’s, “Elated. I was so excited at getting this wonderful opportunity. I believe that The Harker School choir and all the audition practices and performance opportunities helped me in my preparation and I am grateful for that.”
Laughter rang through Saratoga and Blackford campuses on Feb. 3-4 when Harker was visited by Baby Wants Candy, a musical comedy improvisational troupe who led workshops and performed to a sold-out audience.
Baby Wants Candy was founded in 1997, and has permanent troupes in New York and Chicago; at any given time they may have 40-50 performers forming groups that tour, including to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where their relationship with Harker began. Last August the group came to see The Harker Conservatory’s production of “Pippin” at the Fringe, and they were so impressed they “adopted” the cast. The cast reaped the benefits of a special workshop and a shout-out from the stage at a performance of Baby Wants Candy during that week. When Al Samuels, a BWC performer, contacted performing arts chair Laura Lang-Ree and asked about coming West to Harker for more, Lang-Ree jumped at the chance.
The troupe performed at an upper school assembly on Feb. 3, and spent both lunchtimes answering questions from Conservatory students at a “Life in the Arts” workshop. Then the work began. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, Harker students who had signed up for the privilege of working more closely with the cast were put through their improv paces in five hours of workshops. Samuels and musical director/pianist Jody Shelton, who also improvises everything he plays, spent Friday breaking down the elements of improv, sharing effective warmups both for the brain and voice, and giving a fabulous primer on this difficult art form. Saturday they were joined by more of the cast, and the lessons continued, eventually preparing the students for participation in the BWC show on Saturday night.
The Blackford Theater was packed and buzzing by the time the show started at 7 p.m. The first half of the show allowed the Harker workshop students to spread their improv wings and test out all they had learned in the past days. BWC cast members led the kids through all manner of improv games, all based on suggestions from the audience, none of which were prepared or rehearsed.
Then it was time for the BWC cast to show why so many of its members have had successful runs with Saturday Night Live, Second City and numerous improv-based television shows. An audience member suggested the title “Presidents on Jeopardy,” and a fully choreographed, plotted and staged musical unfolded, replete with topical political references, hilarious rhymes, and the Jeopardy theme song woven throughout several of the musical numbers, thanks to Shelton’s ingenuity.
The generosity of the BWC players in traveling from New York and teaching so much of their craft, all with grace, humor and kindness, will be felt by Conservatory students for years to come … and Harker audiences may remember their raucous evening for a bit, too!
Harker will host a performance by the renowned improvisational group Baby Wants Candy (BWC) on Sat., Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Blackford Theater. Joining BWC for this show will be none other than Harker’s own performing arts students, who will attend a special workshop hosted by BWC on Feb. 3 and 4.
Based out of New York City and Chicago, Baby Wants Candy has received rave reviews from The New York Times, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Huffington Post and more for its hilarious, creative and entirely improvised shows. During a typical Baby Wants Candy performance, the audience will shout the title of a never-before-performed musical. From there, the BWC players improvise an hour-long show, complete with musical accompaniment and dance numbers choreographed on the spot. With more than 1,850 such shows performed everywhere from New York to London to Singapore, Baby Wants Candy has established itself as a hotbed of talent, with its members going on to become cast members of “Saturday Night Live,” “30 Rock,” “MadTV” and more.
Baby Wants Candy cast members attended Harker’s performance of “Pippin” at the 2011 Fringe festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. “They were so impressed they invited the students to a special workshop at the University of Edinburgh, then offered to bring their show to Harker,” said Laura Lang-Ree, Harker’s performing arts director. “This show is ‘likely to sell out, so get your tickts, fast!”
The performance will be held at Harker’s Blackford Theater at 3800 Blackford Ave., San Jose. Tickets are $15, Students $10, and can be purchased online at http://bit.ly/wGkUGg. The show is expected to sell out but a few tickets may still be available at the door. For more information, please contact communications@harker.org.
Middle school Performing Arts Lead Teacher Monica Colletti held the first ever Junior Thespian Troupe induction on Jan. 17. Eleven students were inducted into the theater honor society, which Colletti says, “represents commitment to the fantastic theater and performing arts program we have here at Harker.”
The Junior Thespian troupe is a part of the International Thespian Society, the world’s largest honor society for middle and high school theater students. Induction into the Junior Thespian program recognizes hard work and achievement within the dramatic arts.
Students interested in becoming a member of the troupe record their activities, like taking elective classes, performing in a play, working backstage on a show, or participating in summer camps or theater festivals, and are given points based on their participation. Added Colletti, “I hope that all students who love theater will want to be a member of this honor society.”
The Gerald Clayton Trio played to the largest Harker Concert Series audience yet on Jan. 20, a fine night for an indoor show, given the rainy weather. Middle school music teacher Dave Hart introduced Clayton, 27, a three-time Grammy award nominee who has worked with greats such Roy Hargrove, Lewis Nash and Clark Terry. Joining him on drums was Justin Brown, a graduate of the Dave Brubeck Institute and Juilliard, attending both on full scholarships. On bass was Matt Brewer, a professional performer since the age of 12 and a highly in-demand sideman, according to Clayton.
Appearing the very portrait of concentration, Clayton put hand to keys, performing a dissonant improvisation before segueing nicely into a slow and soft rendition of the standard “It Could Happen to You.” Brown used his brushes to great effect, adding an ethereal touch to his steady, nuanced technique. Both he and Brewer contributed the first of many tasteful solos that evening, while Clayton’s increasingly dexterous playing brought the song to an exciting finish.
Clayton followed up with “Major Hope,” an original composition that began with rapid staccato chords in shifting times, gradually swelling into an upbeat display of musicianship, featuring Clayton’s fluid improvisational skills and Brown’s exacting touch.
Clearly fond of standards, Clayton tossed the much-loved ballad “Blame it on My Youth” into his set, adding his own unique flourishes and syncopations. At one point, Clayton intimated to the audience that the band didn’t know what to play next. “Maybe that’s the genius of youth,” he remarked. “No plans.”
The trio’s version of “Body and Soul” was much appreciated by Bill and Cathy Fraser, both of them first-time attendees of the Harker Concert Series.
“It was beyond my expectations,” Bill Fraser, a longtime jazz listener, said of the show. “Particularly the couple of ballads they played …. It’s just rare when a jazz trio settles down in that mood and gets it.”
Roger Kim ’07, who studied music at the University of California, Berkeley, was also impressed with the show. “I see a lot of jazz, and this definitely was a unique experience,” he said, mentioning that the Clayton concert was among the best he’d seen.
Winston Wey ’07, who played with Harker’s jazz band during his high school years, said he had recently rekindled his interest in music and that Clayton’s performance was an inspiration to him. “I’m really impressed with the caliber of performers they get here,” he said.
In mid-January, The Harker School had its 2012 Winter Concert at the Mexican Heritage Theater in San Jose. The show featured the middle school orchestras and jazz band for the first part of the evening, with the upper school orchestra and jazz band following right after. They were conducted by David Hart, middle school instrumental teacher, and Christopher Florio, upper school instrumental teacher.
The evening began with the Harker Winds, who played “Green Sleeves” and “Auld Lang Syne.” They were followed by the strings, who played “Canon,” and holiday favorite, “Joy to the World.” From there the grade 6 orchestra took the stage, for a performance that included a lively rendition of “The Can-Can,” and they were followed by the chamber ensemble performances. Then it was grades 7 and 8 turn to shine, which they certainly did through various jazz band pieces as well as through the orchestra’s three selections, which included an English folk song suite.
The upper school started off their portion of the evening with their jazz band, which played popular songs such as “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” After a short intermission, the upper school orchestra took the stage. They played four pieces, starting off with “Overture to ‘Candide’” and concluded the evening of performances with “Overture to ‘William Tell.’”
This year, The Harker School has two students accepted into the junior high All-State Band: Cynthia Hao and Kristen Park, both grade 8. David Hart, instrumental music teacher for grades 6-8, said “Hao made it into the Concert Band while Park made the highest group, the Symphonic Band.” Having two students accepted to the All-State Band is a Harker first, as is having a student in the Symphonic Band. “It is very exciting,” Hart said.
For the last 52 years, the California Band Directors Association (CBDA) has hosted the California All-State Honor Bands. Once each year, the CBDA conducts auditions, which are held all across the state of California, and the highest caliber students from both junior high and high school are chosen to make up the All-State Honor Bands.