Music Department Notes
AIS Jazz Band Assists Tsunami Relief Effort
On the afternoon of January 19, the members of AIS Upper School Jazz Band gave up their regular Wednesday afternoon rehearsal time to assist Ms. Shanta Kalyanasundaram with sorting out the mountains of clothing, educational items and books donated by the AIS community in response to the tragedy that occurred in Asia in December. Band members and other students sorted, boxed and labeled thousands of items and prepared them for shipment to various countries in the Pacific Rim area. The AIS community in general is to be commended for this rapid and effective response to the call for aid.
AIS Band Students Chosen for Honor Bands
Several AIS student performers were selected for membership in the 2005 January High School Band Festival, sponsored by and held at the University of Georgia. The following students traveled to the Athens campus for four days of intensive rehearsals and clinics, culminating in concerts on the afternoon of January 23: Marissa Smith (10), Cian Ofaolain (10), and Alanna Smith (9). All three are students of Dr. Howard and members of the AIS Upper School Jazz Band.
AIS String Students Chosen for Honor Orchestras
Selected for the annual High School Orchestra Workshop and clinic concert at Georgia State University are string performers Charles Vanijcharoenkarn (10), Matthew Keeter (10), and (alternate) Evrim Ozelci (10). These students will participate in an all-day festival on February 10, held on the GSU campus, followed by an evening concert performance in the Rialto Theatre. All three are students of Suzanna Jemsby and members of the AIS Upper School String Orchestra.
IB Music Student Recital Program
The ten students who are members of the 2004-2005 International Baccalaureate Music class, under the instruction of Dr. Ron Howard, will present an informal student recital program on February 8 at 7 p.m. in the AIS Auditorium. The students will be performing selections from their IB-required performance portfolios that are externally assessed in April of each year. The performers scheduled for the evening of February 8 are all juniors in the IB program: Thomas Rudderow, Alicia de Olano, Eva Imbsweiler, Whitney Lykins, David McClatchey, Arisa Mitsunaga, Frank Dixson, Joaquin Carbonell, Abena Donkor, and Linh Nguyen. Audience members will be treated to performances on violin, saxophone, guitar, piano, and violoncello in addition to numerous performances of vocal works.
Music Department Upcoming Ensemble Programs
On February 10 at 7 p.m. in the AIS Auditorium, the Music Department will present in concert the Primary School Band, Strings, and Chorus. The conductors for the event will be Dr. Howard, Ms. Karen Peters, and Mr. Albert Soskin. The program will highlight the developing performance abilities of our youngest student performers. On February 22 at 7 p.m. in the AIS Auditorium, the Middle and Upper School Bands, Choirs, and Strings will perform their annual Winter Concert program.