NEWSLETTER.html

Readers may discover that reflections on performances or activities often focus on non-musical outcomes of the activity. While students may be directed to focus on musical characteristics of a performance, these are at times not the lasting impressions they recall. The first entry is of the Kern County School Mariachi Showcase.

Curran Middle School was chosen as the facility to hold this exceptional event. We had about 150 students participate with a full house of parents and other invited guests. I don’t believe we could have accommodated everyone had they all been in the facility at once. Our event was reported on the KERO 23 news broadcast on several occasions and although I did not see it, I understand it was also reported on a similar Spanish news broadcast on Univision.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to build bridges in our educational community and share the wonderful talents our students possess. The students really enjoyed performing and listening to others, and the instructors had a unique opportunity to do the same. Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill was extremely generous in providing food for the event at a cost of approximately $725! The audience was very appreciative and at many points during the event gave students sustained applause. It was a wonderful time for all. – Mr.Rodriguez

Kern County School Mariachi Showcase (April 2005)

On Saturday, 5/30/05, we had mariachis at our school to celebrate. There was a lot more to the event than I thought there was going to be. There were children from ages 6 – 17 playing. The younger kids did a great job for their age. –Teresa

The mariachi showcase was a tremendous experience! It included ethnic music, delicious food, and wonderful performances by very talented students. I especially enjoyed gazing at the performances by young elementary students, for they were much younger than most of the performers and they showed much bravery. Since I am one of the solo singers for our mariachi, I was fond of the other girls’ and boys’ voices. Overall, I am thankful that I was included in the gathering. –Lorraine

The mariachi showcase was a really interesting and joyful event. When I saw other schools performing, I was so excited because I learned from those students not to be shy. When it was my turn to play, I was nervous, but at the same time happy. When I heard everyone clapping, I got happy and felt good about what I done. But most of all, I learned from everyone else how to be a good performer. –Candy

On Saturday, April 30, 2005, Curran Middle School students and other Kern County Mariachi groups came together to perform for Cinco de Mayo. All the groups performed a number of pieces, and later listened to the other groups after they performed. I personally liked Delano High School’s performance best. Fortunately, several TV cameramen came and taped the showcase for the news. Altogether, the showcase was an outstanding show. –Heather

The mariachi showcase showed how different mariachi groups dressed, played, and acted. It opened my mind up to new possibilities. I know now we are not the best mariachi, and our band has a long way to go. It also made my mom really proud of me, and I told her I could accomplish great things with my trumpet. The showcase was the best experience I have had in a long time. –Armando

. . . . We celebrated by bringing many youth mariachi groups together. We all had a chance to listen to our peers. Delicious food by Rubio’s was served while we all listened to traditional music. Personally, I truly admire all the talent from all the school including Curran Middle School’s mariachi. Many songs were performed, and we even got a chance to hear early Mother’s Day songs. Together we made an awesome Cinco de Mayo celebration. –Jacqueline

PETE ESCOVEDO (Jan. 2005)

Curran Middle School and other area schools received the wonderful opportunity to watch Pete Escovedo’s performance at the Holiday Inn January, 28, 2005. Many of the students were delighted to be present and were able to perform with Pete and his sons, Peter Michael, and Juan Escovedo. Some students did TV interviews afterwards and received signed autographs from all of them. I was lucky to have been interviewed both in Spanish and English. We had a great time.

Pete Escovedo performed spontaneously with his sons and many of us were enthralled and enamored by his inspiring talent. Many of the students watched attentively to the show and commented how great they played. Accompanied by Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Hardamon, everyone had a great experience meeting a famous musician. –Jennifer

The clinic by famous jazz musician Pete Escovedo we attended was very interesting. I learned the names of instruments that I didn’t know about before. The best part of the clinic was when they started with the drum set and kept adding instruments to the beat. Peter Michael, Juan and Pete were all excellent musicians. The clinic was a fun event to attend. –Melissa

PIPELINE Concert (Oct. 2004)

You could tell that this concert was going to be a little bit different when you noticed the strange yet somehow familiar looking instruments. Both musicians were good to explain what the strangely familiar instruments were called and gave us a little background on their origin – the guitar that was fashioned after one from Russia, the Irish bagpipes that didn't look like bagpipes made a beautiful sound. The kids were a little apprehensive at first, but it didn’t take them long to start tapping their feet ever so softly or drumming their fingers quietly. And the music – every song was a joy to listen to, even the sad ones! I thoroughly enjoyed their performance as did the kids and hope that “PIPELINE” will be invited back. –Mrs. Gomez

I enjoyed the band Pipeline because they play a wide variety of instruments with great talent. They play all kinds of guitars, bagpipes, and flute things. They are the best foreign group I’ve heard. Everyone should get their CD. –Jacob

At the assembly I had lots of fun. They were Scotland people. I loved their songs. I liked their instruments such as bagpipes, harp, guitars, and flutes. I liked the rhythms of the music. I liked the love songs and especially the way the instruments looked and sounded. I wish I were with them. If I was, I would be so happy to play the guitars, bagpipes, and flutes. I also liked the harp, but not as much as some of the other instruments. I had such a fun time. –Deshaunte

2004 Honor Concert

Students recently had the experience of watching painter Gita Lloyd paint a fellow student. Her explanations of the process of painting and life as an artist had students absorbed in the presentation. Students described the process as "cool" and her as "very energetic and profound". Ms. Lloyd's comment that our faces are just masks which she interprets with color and shape fascinated us all. - Mr. Rodriguez

Gita Lloyd, a very sophisticated painter (artist), came to our school to inspire students about painting. I thought it would be an awful experience because most painters, to me, are very boring. Also, they are very private. But, it was pretty OK.

I am a cartoonist. I draw. But, I was amazed and truly inspired by Gita Lloyd’s paintings. Her presentation gave me images that I had never thought of before. She showed me that drawing isn't just something to do when you’re bored. It is an image in your mind that comes to life on a piece of paper.

The painting she did was fantastic. She taught us how to mix colors, and to get the colors just right. I now appreciate art as a real artist does because of what I learned. I look forward to seeing the 5000 Faces Project when it’s completed. I can’t wait.

–Alejandra

Several students recently had the opportunity to appear on a local news broadcast that featured the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce seeking donations of musical instruments for students. Daniel and Katie did a wonderful job expressing their thoughts on-air. Take a look at what they had to say of their interview.

Monday, March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), Channel 17-News came to Curran Middle School to interview Daniel and myself. It took place in the band room. Lori Wallace was the person who interviewed us. You may also know her as Channel 17's weather girl in the morning. She asked me questions like "Why is music education important to you?", and "How has music affected you life?" Being interviewed was a great experience, and I'm glad I was chosen to be a part of it.

On March 17.2003, 17-News reporter, Lori Wallace, interviewed Katie and me about the musical instrument drive and our opinions on music. I was asked what music has done for me and if I thought that giving away instruments was a good idea. I felt that being a part of this and getting interviewed was a great experience for both of us.

I liked Bakersfield College’s choir performance. I found it to be very cultural, inspirational, and uplifting. I especially liked when the male singer sang. His voice was very powerful. One thing they needed work on was the movement on the last song. Other than that, they were wonderful.

My favorite part was when Reymond had a solo on the drums when Curran’s Steel drum band performed. I even spotted one or two of the BC choir singers dancing along. All in all the performances were terrific.

Katie

The day was perfect when I marched in the Veteran’s Day Parade with the band. Before we began warming-up for the parade, we got a chance to hear the Centennial High School marching band. They were in formation right next to us. I thought they rocked! After some warming up and relaxation we lined-up so that we could begin marching. That is when I started to get a bit nervous. I was playing the #3 bass drum instead of my usual cymbals because of an absent student. So it was a relief to begin marching, and I finally started calming down. I started getting use to the bass drum after a while. After about two long miles of marching, I developed a little back problem, but it didn’t stop me from playing.

All in all, despite all of my problems, I thought the parade was awesome and we were too. Thank you for listening to my experience at the Veteran’s Day Parade.

On May 14, 2002, the Curran Crusaders' Band traveled to Knott's Berry Farm. We left around 7:30 a.m., loading up on two buses. On the way a car hit one of the buses. We had to stop and wait while the CHP came to the scene and take a report. All students had to give them their name, address, birth date, and phone number. What a way to start our trip! After getting done with that we again took off. Two miles later we had to stop and change the tire that the car had hit. Again we waited. Finally, we got started again and arrived at Knott's Berry Farm around 11:00 a.m. We were scheduled to perform at 11:30 a.m., but of course we could not make it. Knott's Berry Farm graciously let us get ready and we performed at 12:30 p.m.

The band looked great as we marched down the street to the waiting crowd. After performing 4 selections we marched back to our buses and changed our clothes. We were released at 1:15 p.m. and were able to go on the rides, eat and buy. The band met back at 6:00 p.m. and traveled back to Bakersfield arriving at Curran around 9:00 p.m. It was nice watching movies on the bus. What a fun day!