From Jazz Girls Day to middle school recitals to the annual Performing Arts Showcase, it’s clear that spring has sprung and music is in the air. In early March, nearly 1,000 students in grades 5-12 shared their musical talents during a three hour performance to an adoring audience. The Showcase was a thrilling culmination for teachers and students of the many months of planning, preparation, and musical study. Students performed an array of orchestral, band, mariachi, jazz and choral productions under the guidance of our stellar music teachers, as detailed in the event program.
As a result of a long-standing partnership between BUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department and the Berkeley Symphony, the Berkeley Symphony and the BHS Jazz Ensemble joined together in a stellar performance recently held in UC’s Zellerbach Hall. According to Program Supervisor, Pete Gidlund, “This specific event came about due to Sarah Cline’s approach teaching- always wanting to challenge her students with new experiences.” A look behind the scenes was captured in this video as BHS students prepared for the March 24th performance with the Berkeley Symphony.
The vibrant teaching and learning of music in our schools is possible because of generous funding from the Berkeley Schools Excellence Program (BSEP) and strong community partners, such as the Berkeley Symphony and the Berkeley Public Schools Fund, who are committed to bringing music education to every child.
If you haven’t yet heard the music in the air or are looking for more, here are a number of opportunities ahead:
April 19: BHS Jazz Festival
April 24: 6th grade Instrumental Students to play national anthem at A’s Game.
May 8: BHS Chorus @ Florence Schwimley Little Theater (FSLT) at 6:00pm
May 15/16: BHS Guitar Recitals @ FSLT at 7:00pm
May 17-19: 5th grade Jumpstart Camp at Cazadero
May 23: BHS Band and Orchestra Spring Concert @ Community Theater at 7:00pm
May 29: All BUSD chorus students sing national Anthem at A’s game
May 29: Longfellow Spring Concert @ Longfellow Theater at 6:30pm
June 3/4: King Spring Concert @ Longfellow Theater at 6:30pm
June 5/6: Willard Spring Concert @ Longfellow Theater at 6:30pm
Music teacher Sarah Cline joins the BHS Jazz Ensemble and the Berkeley Symphony on stage at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall on March 24.
