Class Notes
Clark College students beat the drum
for music education in our nation’s capital
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Rep. Brian Baird welcomes Clark College music students and faculty to the steps of the U.S. Capitol |
During the week of June 23-27, 2010, the Clark College Vocal Jazz Ensemble,
Women’s Choral Ensemble, and Concert Band proudly represented Clark College by performing throughout Washington, D.C.
The performances were part of Music Education Week, an event sponsored by the National Association for Music Education (MENC) to raise awareness of the importance of music as part of a comprehensive education.
The trip began on the steps of the Capitol Building, when Washington State Congressman Brian Baird (seen in the photo on the left with Clark College Women’s Choral Ensemble Director and Director of Choral Studies April Duvic and Director of Bands Rich Inouye) graciously took time to personally greet all the Clark College music students.
They presented Rep. Baird with a Clark College baseball jersey and cap, and then sang the national anthem in
a show of appreciation.
The Music Education Week events began with the Rally for Music Education in Upper Senate Park, where all three Clark College music ensembles performed following speeches by MENC officials.
Other highlighted Clark performances throughout the week included the Women’s Choral Ensemble performing at both the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Washington National Cathedral.
Highlights for the Concert Band and Vocal Jazz included performances
in front of the Lincoln Memorial and an intimate concert dedicated to the retired veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (previously called
the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home).
The week ended with a salute to America in a pre-ceremony show opening the Drum Corps International Salutes America competition, in which all Music Education Week participants collaborated on the field to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Women’s Choral Ensemble Director and Clark Director of Choral Studies April Duvic said, “This is our first-ever East Coast trip and we are so honored to be here.”
She further elaborated that although Clark music groups have traveled as far as China and Korea to perform, “this is something special.”
Student Kacy Cross, who sings in the Women’s Choral Ensemble, was extremely appreciative of theefforts being displayed this week. “A big focus of our trip was to rally for music education,” she said. “I cannot emphasize enough the impact that music has on a student’s life, from kindergarten to college graduation. The opportunity to sing in our nation’s capital was one I will never forget.”
Clark Director of Bands Rich Inouye agreed. “This tour really represents the comprehensive education we try to provide at Clark,” he said. “It was the perfect balance of culture, education, and performance, and the students really had a great experience.”
Clark band student Kelly Henick was especially moved by the performance at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. “We had a lot of really great concerts, but when we performed for such an appreciative audience as the retired veterans, it really meant a lot to me,” she said.
The students and directors of the Clark College Music Department would like to especially thank the Associated Students of Clark College, whose generous funding made the trip possible.
