Dear Music School Families,
Winter Recitals were postponed in February due to snow. Contact your instructor for the new date and time. All of the recitals will be held in the Motherhouse, ground floor, the former cold lunchroom/auditorium. Remember the West Entrance doors remained locked at all times.
Save the date – Summer Music Camp is June 26 to 30 for grades K-5. Registration opened on Monday, March 6. No musical experience required.
Competitions and Recognitions:
A big shout out to the following students:
- Olivia S. – Flute, 7th grade, VCMS
- Jingtong Y. – Flute, 8th grade, VCMS
- Morgan T. – Flute, 8th grade, VCMS
- Ayush W. – Flute, 11th grade, VCHS
Each student worked very hard for several months to prepare a solo piece with piano accompaniment for the OMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest that was held this past Saturday, March 4 at Mountainside High School. In addition, our sincere appreciation to Seung Min Oh and Albert Palmeter, two of our piano instructors, who accompanied these students.
JUNIOR DIVISION FINALIST, FLUTE, 13
Flute Concerto No. 1 in G Major, Mvt. 1, W.A. Mozart
Morgan T. is an 8th grade student at Valley Catholic Middle School. She is a longtime student of flute teacher Beckie Hocker, who started Morgan on the fife and recorder at age five. Morgan quickly graduated to flute by second grade and has been performing flute in her school orchestra ever since. She cherishes the years she spent as a student of the late Travis Hatton, who was the former Valley Catholic orchestra teacher and Beaverton Symphony conductor.
Currently, Morgan is enjoying her third season with Portland Youth Wind Ensemble under the direction of conductor Giancarlo Castro D’Addona. She is also a member of the Valley Catholic Flutissimos, a flute choir that often performs at nursing homes, festivals, and other community venues. When not practicing flute, Morgan strives to improve her piccolo and alto flute skills, performs with the school pep band at sports events, plays flute/harp duets with her sister, and spends time with her family. She also enjoys track and field, pickleball, reading graphic novels, learning Mandarin, chatting with friends, listening to music, and brewing milk tea.
INSTRUCTOR OF THE MONTH
Anson Wright
Guitar | Jazz guitarist, composer, novelist, poet, and educator Anson Wright has performed throughout the United States and abroad, including India. A graduate of Princeton, he left graduate studies at Columbia to pursue both music and literary careers. In addition to his three featured jazz CDs, including his December 2019 CD, Only Love, he has authored three books.
Wright’s poetry was set to music in the 2008 spoken-word CD, The Sky At Our Feet. He has studied with Howard Roberts, Jerry Hahn, John Stowell and many others. He has taught at numerous schools including New York University, Pacific University, and Portland Community College.
“Wright is thoughtful in his writing and on the guitar he can articulate seamless, fiery ideas. He can also express great tenderness. Wright may not be a household name, but he should be.”
All About Jazz
“The quality of his playing is exceptional … In sheer color and variety, in the depth of its characterization and the exceptional range and refinement of his guitar playing, Mr. Wright imparts a powerful stature to everything that he plays.”
Jazz da Gama
“Wright’s ability to combine technical prowess and beauty is truly the pearl within.”
Jazz Sensibilities
“Finely honed musical intelligence.”
The Oregonian
www.ansonwright.com
Visit https://valleycatholic.org/music-school/ to learn more about VC Music School. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or email me direct at [email protected].