Joy to the theater

Joey Flores, News Editor

December 21, 2012

Under the direction of Mr. Olariu the Jazz Band performs at the Downey Civic Theater on, Dec. 12, for the Winter Concert put on by the music department. The Jazz Band drew cheers from family and friends with various Christmas songs and renditions.

On Wednesday, Dec. 12, the music program held their annual Winter Concert at the Downey Civic Theater to get into the festive spirit for the upcoming holidays. The program featured the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Choir, Advanced Choir, and Beginning Choir.

Concert Band member Ashley Clemens,10, is a part of the Jazz Band, which was the group that started off the night in a festive mood by performing the upbeat Christmas carol “Joy to the World.” The trumpets led the well-known chorus of the song, supported by the counter melody of the other instruments. The night also included the band’s cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” which showed that the band successfully worked towards a smooth flow and even caused an impromptu sing-along by several audience members.

“It’s a little more nerve-wrecking because we’re playing in front of an actual, large audience,” Clemens said. “As opposed to marching band, it looks a little more intimidating when in concert because we’re in a confined theater, not a large open field.”

There was also a performance of the popular theme song to the Charlie Brown cartoons by the Jazz Choir.

“When we practiced [the Charlie Brown song], we had to warm up a lot because of all the vocal work in some of the songs,” Megan Gomez, 10, said. “Like during one of our songs, there are like no lyrics. It’s a lot of fun.”

When the theme song was performed, the realization of what it was spread across numerous audience members who accompanied the song with their subtle toe-tapping. Directed by Corneliu Olariu, the Jazz Choir attended sectionals, or musical practice, after school. In sectionals, they practiced not only their music, but their vocal style and vocal control as well.

Tired faces from the performers came from the large amount of time invested in readying for the performances. This preparation was done by not only the performers, but the music directors as well.

“One of the hardest parts was making sure that they [band members] showed up for practice,” music director Matthew Fell said. “Not only that, but we were on a very limited time schedule, so we had at least three rehearsals.”

The music program’s preparation and dedication to performing as best as they could boosted their confidence, which helped them give a better overall performance. This led to a night of joyous Christmas tunes that brought smiles to the faces of numerous audience members.

About the Contributors

Joey Flores, News Editor

Joey Flores is a 14-year-old sophomore at Downey High as well as a writer and News Editor for The Downey Legend. Flores chose to join the 2012-2013 staff because he wants to gain experience in journalism, since he aspires to work for Details or Rolling Stone magazine. He plans to attend the University of Oxford or NYU. “I have a minor obsession with the U.K.,” Flores said when asked why he wanted to attend the University of Oxford. He admitted that he will miss his friends and family when he’s away for college, although he won’t be missing the California weather. The News Editor always preferred English over any other subject. “When I was younger I always preferred English because I felt that I had the freedom when it came to creative writing,” Flores said. Along with being on the newspaper, he is also taking Honors English 10, which will help enhance his writing skills. Flores’ main goals are to fulfill everything that comes his way and to come up with interesting stories that will receive multiple views. The staff member enjoys listening to indie and alternative rock. He is a big fan of the 80s band, The Smiths. Flores loves doing community service and is a member of the Key Club. The News Editor enjoys helping others and wants to help “beautify the community.” Flores has volunteered at recovery centers, like Rancho Los Amigos. He participated in a carnival for the disabled patients at the RLARC. “It was very eye-opening because you realize that they are incapable of doing much, but they never give up,” he said. Although Flores has a lot on his plate- being The Downey Legend’s News Editor, volunteering at rehabilitation centers, and succeeding in AP European History and Honors English 10- he will manage to stay on top of everything and make his sophomore year a memorable one.

Lauren Montano, Co-Copy Editor

Senior Lauren Montano is an aspiring photographer for The Downey Legend. As a cheerful photojournalist, she is inspired by her settings when taking images of the everyday life of Downey High’s students. For Montano, anything that captures the vibe of a certain place should be photograph-worthy. Her main source of inspiration comes from National Geographic, since the magazine depicts both professional and amateur photographs. This exuberant student hopes to one day be employed by this magazine. Montano regularly checks Vanity Fair and The New York Times for their visually enticing photographs and in-depth articles. Personally, the vivacious photographer prefers to take black and white photography, since it is more timeless and isn’t set in one period. Montano finds pleasure in listening to music, discovering new artists, and reading. “Books give a unique perspective of the world,” Montano said. Author Zora Neale Hurston has had a huge impact of Montano’s life, allowing her to appreciate the writing style of an American author. In her free time, traveling and discovering the world also satisfies Montano, reaching destinations as far as Spain. As an interested Liberal Arts major, Montano hopes to attend Arizona State University or The University of Denver. Whatever Montano chooses to do in life, all she needs is a little inspiration from her colleagues to make her dreams come true.