Save Our Kids' Music

Joyce Seok Wins Music Competition

rdevillers — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:15:53 +0000

Las Colinas Advanced Band flute student, Joyce Seok, who also plays keyboard and flute in YAA/The Off Beats, won first place and $200 in a piano competition of 91 students. The competition, which took place on Saturday, February 4, 2012, was held at the First United Methodist Church on East Santa Clara Street in Ventura.

The competition was conducted by the National Federation of Music Clubs, which, according to the program from the competition, is “dedicated to finding and fostering young musical talent.” To learn more about the Federation, please visit their website at www.nfmc-music.org.

Congratulations to Joyce for her win!

Congratulations Ventura County Honor Band Students

rdevillers — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:05:58 +0000

Congratulations to the following students for being selected for the Ventura County Middle School Honor Band! The concert will be Friday, February 24, 2012, 7 PM at Buena High School.

Jordyn White – Flute – Monte Vista Middle School
Helen Zhang – Flute – Las Colinas Middle School
Derek Chun – Clarinet – Las Colinas Middle School
Aaron Talabucon – Trumpet – Las Colinas Middle School

Thanks to Those Who Helped with December Events

rdevillers — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:59:21 +0000

SOKM is grateful to all those who came out in December to help with the many holiday concerts and activities in which the YAA/PVSD bands participated. These events could not take place without the help of our many volunteers!

A huge thank you to Keiko Chun who ordered and distrubted ALL the Youth Arts Academy and Las Colinas uniform shirts. And, a double thank you to Keiko for soliciting all of the refreshments and volunteers for the December events!

Helped with the Camarillo Christmas Parade as chaperones and/or with refreshments at the end of the parade: Jennifer Blok, Benny Tan, Therese Norris, Keith Hogan, Jason White, Mike Couchman, Keiko Chun, Karen Gatchel, Iain Anderson, Peggy Smith, Tracy Puyot, Chuck Hubbard, Curtis Taylor, Leah Jennings, Sheryl Chan, Kathy Sheehan, Jenifer Cohn, Shawna Hernandez, Tracey Anthony, Bebe Kushner, Leona Liu, Katie Hosch, and Julie Moore.

Provided refreshments, made announcements or helped distribute at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on December 3: Brunilda Wright, Amy Sarinana, Prediya Menon, Tricia Cary, Yu Reid, Suzy Chase, Brooke Stevens, Tracy Puyot, Leanne Hill, Michelle Cronk, Tina Sutcavage, Tanya Hardisty, Ray and Cristina Padolina, Tracey d’Huart, Ming Li, Samantha Fitts, Nidhi Khatore, Sheryl Chan, Keiko Chun, Kathy Sheehan, Wynelle Ririe, Rhonda Smith, Carol Bjordahl, Jennifer Macasieb, Stanley Baratta, Amanda Mahan, Angela Capponi, Katrina Lyon, Yana Reese, Tobi Schneider, Jenifer Cohn, Charlene Coster, Brenda Taormina, Curtis Taylor, Robin Belvedere, Theingi Thway, Charlene Paragas, Holly Butler, Heather McCoy, Kym and Geoff Chatfield, Joanne Carolan, Iain Anderson, Bev Matsumura, Keiko Chun, and Betty Weyek.

Helped with Holiday Strings Concert Refreshments: James Bjordahl, Rebbeca Stenzel, Leona Liu, Stephanie Rodriguez, Elizabeth De La Pena, Brooke Stevens, Rhonda Smith, Kim Nguyen, Soraya Thenoz, Shiela Domingo, Evenees Ibrahim Joy Carino, Carol Bjordahl, Claridad Holmes, Karen Gatchel, Betty Weyek, and Barb McKown.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SOKM Presents Donation to PVSD/YAA

rdevillers — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:54:22 +0000

Thanks to our generous donors!

In November 2011, $33,856 was donated by Save Our Kids’ Music (SOKM) to the Pleasant Valley School District. The money was donated at the PVSD board meeting in November. SOKM Board members in attendance were Karen Gatchel, who spoke, Richard Gatchel, Betty Weyek, Barb McKown and Iain Anderson.

$10,000 was donated for Beginning Band at Las Colinas, $10,000 for Beginning Band at Monte Vista, and the remaining went to support the Pleasant Valley School District Youth Arts Academy classes including Beginning Strings, Intermediate Strings, Orchestra, Chorus/Musical Theater, Ceramics, and Painting & Drawing.

It is because of people who give generously to SOKM that we are able to offer this financial support to these music and art programs. Thanks! Click to view the SOKM Donor information.

Off Beats Auditions in January

rdevillers — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:29:41 +0000

It’s time to audition for YAA/The Off Beats!

Students with at least two years of instruction on a band instrument may audition to join The Off Beats. This class focuses on jazz, pop and rock literature. Emphasis is placed on many performances and independent practice it is very important that all band members be at EVERY performance. Students who are proficient on piano, bass, or rhythm guitar and can read music proficiently are invited to audition as well.

Auditions will be held on January 5, 9, and 12 at the Los Altos School site, 700 Temple Ave, Camarillo, in Room D3, from 4:50-5:20 pm.

Thank You to Our Volunteers at Registration and Back-to-School Nights

rdevillers — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:53:21 +0000

A HUGE thank you to all those who volunteered to staff the tables at the YAA Registration dates, and at Back-to-School Nights. Having people staff the tables for YAA Registration is vital, of course, for the success of the SOKM-supported programs. The tables at Back-to-School Nights are an important way to get the information out there about SOKM and the YAA programs.

Helping at Back to School Night were: MaryLou Smith, Peggy Smith, Keiko Chun, Richard Gatchel, Keiko Wilson, Barb McKown, Nancy Ma, Beth Ruef, Karen Gatchel, Keith Hogan, Steve Wolf, Bev Matsumura, Marie Pierre Kippen, Betty Weyek, Melissa Cohen, Will Crowder, and Brenda Innocente.

Helping at Registration were: Peggy Smith, Melissa Cohen, Mike Couchman, Richard Gatchel, Bev Matsumura, Beth & Rhiannan Ruef, Theingi Thway, Karen Gatchel, Glenn Ishida, Barb McKown, Keith Hogan, Michelle Hogan, Grace Lim, Keiko Chun, Mr. Chatfield, Rick Weyek, and Agnes Tan.

Without volunteers such as these people (and please forgive us if we left out any names!), SOKM could not achieve what it does. A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF YOU!

Honor Band – Advanced Students May Apply

rdevillers — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:40:10 +0000

Advanced music students may want to consider auditioning for the Ventura County Honor Band. It’s a great opportunity to further your musical experience. Auditions are January 12, 2012, at Redwood Middle School. Let Mr. Copsey or Miss Copsey know by December 9th if you plan to audition.

The audition scales and music, plus rehearsal and concert information are posted on their website: www.vchb.org

Garage Sale a Success for Monte Vista Band

rdevillers — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:30:05 +0000

The Lott family hosted a garage sale to benefit the Monte Vista band on Saturday, October 29. With the help of many Advanced Band students, the sale raised $415.00 for the band program. Many thanks to those who helped make … ( more... )

YAA Chorus/Musical Theater

rdevillers — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:02:00 +0000

YAA Chorus/Musical Theater is off to a great start. The class will be meeting on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM. The students are currently preparing for various Christmas performances including the Camarillo Christmas Parade Dec. 10th and Atria Assisted Living facility … ( more... )

YAA Music Classes are Off and Running

rdevillers — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:20:47 +0000

The following YAA Music classes are continuing this Fall: Beginning Band, Concert Band, The Off Beats, Beginning Strings, Intermediate Strings, and Orchestra.

The Off Beats recently added two keyboards to their inventory of instruments; as there is at present no bass player, one keyboard can be used for the bass line, greatly enhancing the sound of the charts. Strings recently added a bass, so now the bass player has something to play!

It is through the generous donations of SOKM supporters that these instruments can be added.
All the groups are busy practicing holiday music to get ready for the upcoming concerts.