Page 16 - Reedley Exponent 1-4-18 E-edition

Felicia Cousart Matlosz / The Exponent
David dela Concepcion, the new choral music teacher for the Kings Canyon Unified School District, is shown here as he directed the Reedley High School Madrigals vocal ensemble at the Dec. 12 meeting of the KCUSD governing board.
CHORALE
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Church in Sanger.
He also started taking pi-
ano lessons, on and off, from theageof7.Ashegrewup,he sang in the church choir and played in worship bands. He also did Polynesian dance and drumming.
At Sanger High, dela Con- cepcion said he didn’t join the choir until his junior year. (He still was singing at his church.) He became a mem- ber of the campus’ Chamber Singers, the equivalent of the Madrigals. He had been a tenor but moved down to baritone.
It was a wholly different experience, with music that included classical selections and complicated arrange- ments. He said the first thing they did was a six-part Renais- sance motet: “It was a super intense piece, and I was like, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’”
“I just fell in love with it.”
But when college beck- oned, dela Concepcion said he started as a pre-med major. He went to Reedley College and didn’t take any music courses his first semester. By the second semester, he did and then he changed to a double major.
When he transferred to California State University, Stanislaus, his major became music education, with a choral emphasis. Dela Concepcion said he made the commitment because he really enjoyed it and was doing well.
And, he said. “you make a lot of connections in music. You discover new things that you never thought of before. Music makes you feel things. Music makes you connect with people in a different way.”
After graduating, dela Concepcion taught choir in Riverdale, in the high school
and seventh and eighth grades, starting in 2015.
Then the KCUSD job opened up. People he knew from Reedley “really loved” the program. He said one friend told him: “It’s the best thing that can happen to you.”
He said he knew it would be a huge commitment, espe- cially with a schedule that in- cludes performances and con- certs, like the busy holiday pe- riod that just concluded. Once the second semester begins, there will be more concerts and festivals.
His goal, dela Concepcion said, is to respect the vocal music heritage of the pro- gram: “Obviously, this is a pro- gram that has an established tradition. It’s a very good one. The kids are super excited. They’re performing. They’re out in the community.”
At the same time, dela Concepcion wants to broad- en the interaction with other choral groups and expand op- portunities. For example, RHS singers recently performed with a Reedley College choir. He said “there’s a pretty big choral community in the area” and that “we’ve got a lot of tal-
ent.H” e also said the students he’s teaching have come to him with a solid foundation, whether it’s been through singing at their churches, through their experiences in younger grades in KCUSD schools or the district’s Visual and Performing Arts pro- gram.
He said he’s been im- pressed with the talent, in- cluding “some really, really good individual voices” at Or- ange Cove.
At the Dec. 12 KCUSD governing board meeting, dela Concepcion introduced RHS sophomore and Mad- rigal member Elicia Ballad- arez, who had been accepted to the American Choral Di- rectors Association regional
honor choir after intense au- ditions. The region extends from Bakersfield up to the Oregon border (not includ- ing the coastal region). About 2,000 students audition for the honor choir, in Balladarez’s case, the women’s choir. She was one of about 80 to 100 students chosen for that en- semble.
The Madrigals at that meeting performed three hol- iday songs that received avid applause. Two of the songs were planned. But Board President Noel Remick said: “We want an encore.” And Trustee Robin Tyler added: “You have to do one more.” The ensemble then per- formed “Carol of the Bells.”
Students like Emily Booth, a RHS junior, said she’s en- joyed her choir experience this year so much that she hopes to fit it into her sched- ule again next year.
Booth, who keeps busy with studies and extracur- ricular activities, enrolled in the choir program for the first time this academic year. She’s in the mixed and concert choirs. She said that dela Concepcion has even en- couraged her to accompany ensembles on the piano: “It’s been really fun.”
Roberto “Robbie” Campos is another RHS junior and a member of the Madrigals. Like Salma Lopez, he said there was uncertainty what would happen once Lepp de- parted. But, Campos said, de- la Concepcion assured them he wanted to keep the pro- gram’s traditions and sched- uled events.
As a teacher, Campos said, dela Concepcion “wants to open opportunities for ev- erybody ... he wants to build the program.” Campos said he’s been given several solos so far this academic year. “I was expecting one, and I’ve already had like six,” he said, with a smile.
Campos, by the way, said he’s been chosen for an honor choir that will convene early this year in Fresno County.
As the school year enters its second semester, dela Con- cepcion and his students will be preparing for more pro- grams and activities.
“It’s busy but it’s a lot of fun, and I’m enjoying it,” he said. “It’s a real blessing to be able to work here.”
You can see video clips of recent Madrigals performanc- es in December on The Expo- nent's Facebook page.
ABOVE: Students in the Jefferson Elementary School transitional kindergarten performed songs at their
The Reedley Exponent B6 Thursday, January 4, 2018 Youth & Education
KCUSD students involved in holiday programs
holiday program before the winter break.
Kings Canyon Unified School District /Photos Contributed
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ABOVE: These kindergarten students at washington Elementary School, using measurement skills they learned in class, made these snowman projects.
RIGHT: The Kings Canyon Unified School District's Early Literacyprogramhosted a community Family Craft Night at Jefferson Elemen- tary School. Those who attended enjoyed a dinner, participated in making crafts and received gifts.
Contributed
In the days before the winter break began on Dec. 18, students in the Kings Canyon Unified School Dis- trict celebrated the holiday season with programs and activities.
It also was an opportuni- ty to combine fun and learn- ing by incorporating academ-
ics into activities. For exam- ple, kindergarten students at Washington Elementary School made snowmen by us- ing measurement skills they had learned in math.
And, as another example, the KCUSD Early Literacy Program hosted a commu- nity Family Craft Night. Par- ents and children involved in programs such as Gymboree and the preschools attended the event.
The holiday season also was a time for students to share their talents through music with the community.
Many elementary schools hosted holiday concerts in which students performed songs they learned in music classes.
The Reedley High School and Orange Cove High School choirs presented their annual winter concert, while
middle school bands per- formed in a separate concert. The RHS Madrigals vocal ensemble presented musical programs more than 20 times at a variety of functions
throughout the area.
Also, the Madrigals –
with Reedley High’s other vocal ensembles, the mixed choir and the concert choir – sang for residents at the Si- erra View Homes Retirement Community.
Meanwhile, the Reedley High Pirate Marching Band and the Orange Cove High Marching Titan Band on Dec. 7 performed in the an- nual Reedley Electrical Farm Equipment Parade.
And, here’s just a remind- er for everyone:
KCUSD schools go back into session on Monday, Jan. 8.
GIRLS AGES 8-14
REGISTRATION
JANUARY 1 - FEBRUARY 4 $70.00
LATE REGISTRATION
AFTER FEBRUARY 4 $100.00
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
• Energy Efficient
• Reduces Noise
• Full Lifetime Warranty
• Copy of Birth Certi cate
Free clinics and tryouts will be held at the Reedley High School softball elds
JAN 20, JAN 27, & FEB 3
All new players or players entering a new division must attend one clinic in January and one in February.
First Mennonite Church
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For more info on where to register. please call;
Michael Romero 776-1028 Tammy Wilson 305-5387
Borscht Supper
Borscht • Albondigas Soup • Homemade Pies
Wed., January 10, 2018
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fundraiser - Donation
1208 L STREET • REEDLEY
015749
015756