Clovis North Wind Ensemble 2017

Page 1


The Concert Hall was named after a long time CUSD employee and exemplary music teacher, the late Mr. Paul Shaghoian. He was a phenomenal trumpet player who most notably played lead trumpet with the University of North Texas One O’clock Lab Band, and lead trumpet with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Paul’s leadership and teaching left a lasting positive impact on the level of musicianship in the Clovis Unified School District and stretched outwards throughout the United States.

Opening in 2008, the Performing Arts Center on the campus of the Clovis North Educational Center is three beautiful arts facilities under one roof. The Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall is a 750-seat acoustic triumph. Touted as the finest concert facility for a K-12 district west of the Mississippi, the black-box style Dan Pessano Theater is an amazingly versatile venue for both comedies and dramas alike.

In addition, the lobby that connects these two performance spaces serves as an art gallery showcasing work from CUSD students and teachers. The facilities were constructed to fulfill the Clovis Unified School District’s vision of providing outstanding facilities for music, drama and art for all the fine arts groups within the District.There are over 300 events annually in this beautiful facility that range from elementary school performances and festivals, to International performing ensembles.


The Clovis Unified School District Presents In Concert

Clovis North Educational Center Wind Ensem ble David Lesser, Conductor 71st Annual Midwest Clinic an International Band and Orchestra Clinic December 21, 2017 Thursday, December 21, 2017 8:30 AM McCormick Place West/Skyline Ballroom W3575AB Chicago, Illinois

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 1


Diane Feinstein United States Senator I am delighted and honored to recognize the Clovis North Educational Center Wind Ensemble for being invited to perform at the 71st annual Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra and Music Conference in Chicago. This tremendous accomplishment is a reflection of the dedication of you and your students. This significant achievement will establish a level of excellence to which your school’s wind ensemble may strive for as well as provide a shining example for schools throughout the Central Valley and state of California. As your United States Senator from the state of California, I whole-heartedly commend the Clovis North Educational Center Wind Ensemble on this outstanding achievement, and I send my best wishes as your students perform at the Midwest Clinic. With warmest personal regards. Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein United States Senator

Eimear O’Farrell Ed.D. Superintendent, Clovis Unified School District The Clovis Unified School District’s Governing Board, administration, staff and community are so proud of Clovis North High School ‘s mu sic program for being selected to perform at the 2017 Midwest Clinic International Band , Orchestra and Music Conference . What an honor to play at such a prestigious event! The students who comprise Clovis North’s Wind Ensemble, and their director David Lesser works tirelessly year- round rehearsing and preparing for their performances. Listening to these ensembles humbles and inspires me. The talent and dedication of our students shine through with every note, and I am continually amazed that our high school students demonstrate a level of commitment that most seasoned professionals display. I extend a heartfelt thank you to our students and directors for the countless hours they have given and the sacrifices they have mad e to bring such beautiful music to life. Music education, and all aspects of the visual and performing arts, have been critical components of Clovis Unified ‘s curricular and co-curricular offerings since the District was established 57 years ago. Our mission is to educate the whole child in mind, body and spirit, and the performing arts do just that. We are grateful to our Governing Board for enthusiastically supporting and valuing the arts so that we can offer our students a variety of opportunities to enhance their educational experiences and enrich their lives. On behalf of the Clovis Unified School District, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone at the Midwest Clinic for recognizing our students and inviting them to perform. We wish our Clovis North Wind Ensemble a wonderful performance! Go Broncos! Sincerely,

Eimear O’Farrell, Ed.D. Superintendent Clovis Unified School District

2 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


Scott Dille, Ed.D Principal, Clovis North Educational Center The Clovis North Bronco Family is proud of the achievement of our students, thankful for the efforts of our music instructors, and humbled by this opportunity to perform at the 71st Annual Midwest Clinic. We are thrilled at the chance to represent Central California as the first program chosen from this region! The 2017-18 school year will be our eleventh year since opening…where “Unity, Courage, and Commitment” are action words that guide our students and staff. As a 7th through 12th grade educational complex we are designed to provide a seamless, focused, and dynamic educational experience. The collaborative culture of the campus is built upon the core values and beliefs of our District and infused with cutting edge curricular and instructional innovation. Our district’s founding father, Dr. Floyd Buchanan, preached “it is people, not programs” and “if you want to have great programs, you have to surround it with great people.” No program exemplifies this more than our Instrumental Music Program. David Lesser and our music staff are filled with passion and have been committed to providing the very best educational experience possible for our students. With a belief that “the greater the expectation, the greater the achievement,” he has set the bar very high for our students. I want to thank him and his staff for giving so much of their time and talents to continue the academic and music achievement of these top-notch performers. I would also like to acknowledge our outstanding school community of Clovis North parents who support and hold their students to such high expectations. Their dedication to our school ensures the success of so many Bronco programs. And to our students who have made the commitment to be the very best they can be in “Mind, Body, and Spirit,” you are simply amazing!! Your legacy at Clovis North is tremendous and will not soon be forgotten. You continue to amaze me with your abilities to balance academics and co-curricular involvement. I hope you enjoy the privilege of playing at this prestigious event! With Bronco Pride, Scott Dille Ed.D

Dan Bishop CUSD Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator We in Clovis Unified are extremely proud of the work you have done since opening Clovis North HS in 2006. For 11 years, your wind ensemble has grown to be a premier band, not only in Clovis Unified, but across our great state of California, and now as evidenced by this invitation to perform at the Midwest Clinic, our great nation too! The wind ensemble’s hard work, your dedicated teaching and staff contributions, coupled with a supportive school administration and district Visual and Performing Arts Department - all come together when a program like the CNHS Wind Ensemble is honored and recognized by this most prestigious of invitations! In Clovis Unified, we value three founding core school district principles: Mind, Body, and Spirit. We know your music experiences will continue to shape all the students in your ensemble for their lifetime. We also know the memories your wind ensemble make together will literally enrich each student in ways far beyond other aspects of education. Making excellent, exciting music, and the values each one of your “kids” develop in your classroom only serve to mold your students into the 21st century “learners” and later “producers” for businesses, educational organizations, and government agencies. We recognize your dedication to nurturing the spirit of each and every student in your wind ensemble. You are enriching your kids in ways that literally will change them for the better! We hope you enjoy the Clovis North High School Wind Ensemble’s performance today. We in Clovis Unified have committed to providing a model Visual and Performing Arts program for all of our students. Our founding Superintendent, Dr. Floyd B. “Doc” Buchanan established the Arts as a non-negotiable, integral part of each of our student’s education. The Clovis North Wind Ensemble is a shining example of the best of all these ideals! Congratulations Mr. Lesser, Clovis North Band Staff, School and District Administration, and most especially our great Clovis “Kids”. Dan Bishop CUSD Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 3


A very special thank you to the 21 members of the 2017 senior class. Their tremendous contributions of time and talent helped the Clovis North Wind ensemble attain the honor of performing at the Midwest Clinic for the first time.

Front Row: Kenna Ott – Clovis Community College, Physics Gabrielle Villaverde – California State University Fresno, Business Brooke Flores – University of California, Berkley, Environmental Design Klea Washington – University of San Diego, Double Major Biology/Music Jasmine Ramirez – California State University, Fresno Jonathan Colburn – Clovis Community College Middle Row: Jason Lum – San Diego State University, Business Christian Chamalbide – Clovis Community College, Aerospace Engineering Anthony Fuertes – California State University, Monterey Bay, Marine Biology Roman Felder – Clovis Community College PFC Tyrique Streeter – United States Marine Commandant’s Own Drum and Bugle Corps Bryan Shaddy – University of California, Riverside, Mechanical Engineering Travis Morris – California State University, Fresno Andrew Vance – California State University Fresno, Music 4 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois

Back Row: Ryan Fong – Purdue University, Chemical Engineering Kyle Groves – San Jose State University, Physics Michael Neufeld – University of Southern California, Jazz Studies Michael Coppedge – California State University, Fresno, Chemistry Connor Calvert – Clovis Community College, Geology Dylan Taslim – California State University, Fresno, Music Oleksandr Babich – California State University, Fresno, Computer Engineering


CONCERT PROGRAM

Fascinating Ribbons Joan Tower

Gently I Wander Robert Sheldon

Dystopia

Jay Coles David Gabrielson, Conductor

“The Alcotts”

(from Piano Sonata No. 2, Concord, Mass, 1840-1860) Charles Ives Arr. Richard E. Thurston Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland, Conductor

Diamond Tide Viet Cuong I. Moderato II. Allegro

Forever In A Golden Paradise Gary Gilroy World Premiere

Press Play Vince Oliver World Premiere Ramiro Barrera, Conductor

American Patrol F.W. Meacham Jose Vargas, Conductor

Tetelestai (Tetelestai) Andrew Boss II. Toccata


Clovis North Wind Ensemble Program Notes Fascinating Ribbons Joan Tower (B. 1938) Grade Level: 6 Performance time: 5 min. 54 sec. Publisher G. Schirmer, Inc. Year Published: 2001

Born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1938, Tower moved to Bolivia when she was nine years old, an experience which she credits for making rhythm an integral part of her work. For the next decade Tower’s talent in music, particularly on the piano, grew rapidly due to her father’s insistence that she benefit from consistent musical training. Tower accepted a faculty position at Bard College in composition, a post she continues to hold today. Tower received a Guggenheim fellowship in 1976. In 1985, Tower accepted a position at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 1988-1991 where she was a composer-in-residence. Tower became the first woman recipient of the Grawemeyer Award for Music in 1990 for her composition Silver Ladders. In 1993, under commission from the Milwaukee Ballet, Tower composed Stepping Stones, a selection from which she would go on to conduct at the White House. In 2008, Tower’s Made in America and the recording of it by the Nashville Symphony conducted by Leonard Slatkin won three Grammy Awards: in the categories Best Orchestral Performance, Best Classical Album and Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Fascinating Ribbons was commissioned by the College Band Directors National Association in 2000 with a consortium of thirty one bands. It is dedicated to Jack Stamp, that intrepid “stalker” of composers who will not give up until he gets a band piece from them. (I should know: it took him five years to get me to write one!) Since this was my first foray into the band world, I decided that a short piece would be the wisest course. One of the rhythmic motives was taken from George Gershwin’s Fascinating Rhythms and many of the contours of motives in the piece are shaped in curved “ribbon” patterns—hence the title Fascinating Ribbons. I am happy to finally be entering the band world—a generous and hardworking one, that has generated so many excellent wind, brass and percussion players. It seems also to be a place of people that actually love living composers! I hope that my piece will live long enough for me to get to know this world a lot better. (You never know…) -Joan Tower

6 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


Gently I Wander Robert Sheldon (b. 1954) Grade Level: 1 Performance time: 1min. 55sec. Publisher: Alfred Music Year Published: 2017

Robert Sheldon has taught instrumental music in the Florida and Illinois public schools, and has served on the faculty at Florida State University where he taught conducting and instrumental music education classes, and directed the university bands. As Director of Concert Band Publications for Alfred Music, he maintains an active composition and conducting schedule. He regularly accepts commissions for new works. Sheldon received the Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Miami and the Master of Fine Arts in Instrumental Conducting form the University of Florida. Gently I Wander is a musical escape that will take the audience to a quiet place. Simple, elegant lines combine with rich harmonies and counterpoint to provide an uplifting moment of repose. “Gently, I Wander” correlates to Book 1, Level 6 of Sound Innovations for Concert Band.

Dystopia Jay Coles (b. 1995) Grade Level: 1 Performance time: 2 min. 20 sec. Publisher: C. Alan Publications Year Published: 2017

Jay Coles is a composer of concert band music and an American author of young adult fiction. Jay’s first piece entitled “Ochesis: The Legends of Thailand” was premiered in Wakayama-shi, Japan in December 2011. In addition to composing, Jay has written several novels over the years, including the upcoming Black Lives Matter-inspired standalone, Tyler Johnson Was Here, which is expected to be released in the spring of 2018. Jay studied at Vincennes University and Ball State University, respectively, and earned degrees in Liberal Arts, English, and Education. Dystopia is a dark and brooding musical exploration of a nation severely damaged by a long war. Filled with driving rhythms, blazing dissonances, and rapid-fire tuttis, this dramatic epic places musicians at the center of the ruin where everyone plays a part in the final escape. Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 7


“The Alcotts” (from Piano Sonata No. 2, Concord, Mass., 1840-1860) Charles Ives (b. 1874-1954) Transcribed by Richard E. Thurston Grade Level: 5 Performance time: 5min. 30 sec. Publisher: G. Shirmer Inc. (Rental) Year Published: 1972

Charles Ives was an American modernist composer. He is one of the first American composers of international renown, though his music was largely ignored during his life, and many of his works went unperformed for many years. Over time, he came to be regarded as an “American original”. He combined the American popular and church-music traditions of his youth with European art music, and was among the first composers to engage in a systematic program of experimental music, with musical techniques including polytonality, polyrhythm, tone clusters, aleatory elements, and quarter tones, foreshadowing many musical innovations of the 20th century. The Piano Sonata No. 2, commonly known as the Concord Sonata was composed between 1909 and 1915 and consists of four movements, each bearing the name of a famous mid-19th century resident of Concord: I. Emerson, II. Hawthorne, III. The Alcotts, IV. Thoreau. To some degree, each movement is a musical impression of the personality and philosophical attitudes of its subject. While movements, I, II, and IV are lengthy, musically complex and pianistically difficult, “The Allcots,” by contrast is a section of simple and serene beauty and monumental character- a touching and lovingly etched remembrance of the Alcotts’ Orchard House. As Ives himself wrote in Essays Before a Sonata: “And there sits the little old spinet-piano Sophia Thoreau gave to the Alcott children, on which Beth played the old Scotch airs, and played at the Fifth Symphony… …And so we won’t try to reconcile the music sketch of the Alcotts with much besides the memory of that home under the elms – the Scotch songs and the family hymns that were sung at the end of each day – though there may be an attempt to catch something of that common sentiment (which we have tried to suggest above) – a strength of hope that never gives way to despair – a conviction in the power of the common soul which, when all is said and done, may be as typical as any theme of Concord and its transcendentalists.” Originally composed as a largely unbarred and without meter designations piano work, the performers work to capture the feeling of natural pulse and accentuation through this fine transcription of Richard Thurston.

8 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


Diamond Tide Viet Cuong (b. 1990) Grade Level: 3 Performance time: 7 min. 30 sec. Publisher: Blue Dot Composer Collective Year Published: 2015

Viet is currently a Diploma student at the Curtis Institute and a Naumburg and Roger Sessions Doctoral Fellow at Princeton University, he holds Bachelors and Masters degrees from the Peabody Conservatory. Diamond Tide was Commissioned by and dedicated to the TMEA Region 18 Middle school Bands. Notes by the composer: A 2010 article published in Nature Physics details an experiment in which scientists were able to successfully melt a diamond and, for the first time, measure the temperature and pressure necessary to do so. When diamonds are heated to very high temperatures, they don’t melt; they simply turn in to graphite, which then melts (and the thought of liquid graphite isn’t nearly as appealing or beautiful as liquid diamond.) Therefore, the addition of extremely high pressure – 40 million times the pressure we feel on Earth at sea level-is crucial to melt a diamond. The extreme temperature and pressure used in this experiment are found on Neptune and Uranus, and scientists therefore believe that seas of liquid diamond are possible on these two planets. Oceans of diamond may also account for these planets’ peculiar magnetic and geographic poles, which do not line up like they do here on Earth. Lastly, as the scientists were melting the diamonds, they saw floating shards of solid diamond forming in the pools-just like icebergs in our oceans. Imagine: distant planets with oceans of liquid diamond filled with bergs of sparkling solid diamonds drifting in the tide… These theories are obviously all conjecture, but this alluring imagery provided heaps of inspiration for Diamond Tide, which utilizes the “melting” sounds of metallic water percussion and trombone glissandi throughout. The work is in two movements, which can be performed separately. The composer sends heartfelt thanks to Cheryl Floyd, Richard Floyd, the TMEA Region 18 bands, and John Mackey for making this piece possible.

Press Play

Vince Oliver (1978) Grade Level: 4 Performance time: 5 min. 30 sec. Publisher: Manuscript Year Published: Manuscript WORLD PREMEIRE

Vince Oliver is a graduate of the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he studied percussion performance and composition. Upon graduating, he toured with the cast of the Broadway show Blast! As a composer arranger, Mr. Oliver has had the privilege of writing for various ensembles throughout the world. His wind Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 9


ensemble and orchestra compositions have been performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Music for All National Concert Band Festival, The Palau de Musica in Barcelona, WASBE and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The composer states the program notes for this piece should be: Dance. Immediately.

Forever In A Golden Paradise Gary Gilroy (b. 1958) Grade Level: 2 Performance time: 2min. 30sec. Publisher: Gary P. Gilroy Publications Year Published: 1999 WORLD PREMIERE

Gary P. Gilroy is professor of Music and Director of Bands at California State University, Fresno. Gary is a member of the American Bandmasters Association and is in demand as a guest conductor of many honor bands throughout the United States, Canada, China, and England. An ASCAP award-winning composer, Gilroy’s music is published for concert band, marching band, and various ensembles through many publishing companies. Forever In a Golden Paradise is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Michael William Golden and the entire Golden Family. Kevin Golden was born in Fresno, California on January 27, 1993 and passed away in Yosemite National Park (CA) on January 6, 2017. On Friday morning January 6, 2017, Nick Gilroy (Son of Gary P. Gilroy) and Kevin Golden were spending one of their last days of the Christmas Vacation by visiting one of the worlds most incredible natural settings, Yosemite National Park. Their hike took them up the well-known “Four Mile Trail” from the valley floor to Glacier Point. As they reached the higher parts of the trail, they encountered icy conditions. Kevin slipped, and in an instant, was gone over the edge. Tragically, he fell to his death. Kevin was an amazing young man who was just about to graduate from California State University, Long Beach. He was an Eagle Scout. Towards the end of the memorial Mass, many of the scouting colleagues in attendance convened on the altar to sing their final goodbye to their fellow scout. They sang the Scout Vespers Song, which uses the melody from O Christmas Tree. As this piece comes to a close, a short fragment of this traditional Christmas song can be heard repeating several times in an ascending manner as if to depict Kevin’s ascension into the Heavens. Kevin’s family members will tell you Kevin especially loved Yosemite. It was his paradise. Kevin will forever be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him, but we can e sure that he is forever at peace in his own Golden Paradise

10 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


American Patrol

F.W. Meacham (1856-1909) Grade Level: 3 Performance time: 4 min. 19 sec.Publisher: C.L. Barnhouse Company Year Published: 2007

Meacham was born in Brooklyn, New York. His most famous work is American Patrol (1885). Written originally for piano, it was then arranged for wind band and published by Carl Fischer in 1891. It was later arranged for Glenn Miller’s swing band by Jerry Gray, and was also arranged by composer Morton Gould. Meacham lived in New York City for much of his life. Many of his works were military marches, tribute pieces, and early ragtime works. He died in New York City of pneumonia. The “patrol” format was popular in the second half of the 19th century, and other compositions bear titles such as “Turkish Patrol,” “Ethiopian Patrol,” “Owl’s Patrol,” “Welsh Patrol” and “Arab Patrol.” The format was intended to represent a military band approaching, passing, and fading into the distance. It typically included an introduction played p or pp, in imitation of bugle calls or drums, then themes played progressively louder until a recapitulation of the first theme(s), gradually dying away and finishing pp,ppp, or even pppp. The original piano version of “American Patrol” follows this scheme. It incorporates both original musical themes by Meacham and melodies from American patriotic songs of the era such as “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean” and “Dixie.”

Tetelestai (Tetelestai)

Andrew Boss (b. 1988) Movement 2 – Toccata Grade Level: 6 Performance time: 7 min. 26 sec. Publisher: Murphy Music Press Year Published: 2014

Andrew Boss completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition at the University of Texas Austin. Currently residing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dr. Boss is self-employed as a composer and private teacher. Tetelestai – Greek for “It is finished” – is supposedly the last word that Yahashua, the man Christians praise as Jesus Christ, spoke among the people of Jerusalem before his death. The nature of this word – in the perfect indicative mood of its verbal form teleo – suggests having completed an action that is both irreversible and infinite. Within the context Yahasua used, it meant that he perfectly fulfilled the demands of the Mosaic Law on behalf of his people, and that he took the punishment his people deserved and placed it onto his own shoulders by his death. The biblical account of the resurrection adds a rich meaning to the word tetelestai, that which not even death can undo what has been completed. Toccata, the 2nd movement portrays images of conflict between two opposing forces, such as life vs. death or dark vs. light. This is how the composer interprets the war between heaven and sin since “in the beginning” up through Yahashua’s death. The work was written for and dedicated to Jerry Junkin. It was written in loving memory of the death of the beloved Vincent R. DiNino whose immense contributions to the University of Texas Music programs will never be forgotten. Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 11


CLOVIS NORTH Wind Ensemble Soprano & Alto Saxophone Dylan Taslim Alto Saxophone Nicholas Archer Alto & Tenor Saxophone Dakota Nolan Tenor Sax & Contra Bass Clarinet Travis Morris Baritone Sax Tim Childs

12 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 California All-State Music Educators Conference


Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 California All-State Music Educators Conference | 13


Trumpets

(Front-Back) Matthew Coppedge, Connor Hazelrigg, Ainsley Berryhill, Daniel Adam, Valentine Camacho, Nicholas Grigorian, Joshua Harris, Caleb Brosnac

(L-R) Dakota Nolan, Nicholas Archer, Chase Sanchez, Timothy Childs

Saxophones (L-R) Joshua Van Heusen Ryan Avila Cameron Baber Reese Curtis

14 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois

Do


ouble Reeds

Percussion

Front row Alyssa Pena Alan Pham Haley Shah Mackenzie Maes Noah Blevins Second Row Jonathan Nunez Sarah Elsberry Carlo Quitorio Robert Tyra Back Row Felix Ma Zachary Curtis

Front Row Branden Menes Ashley Amiott Richard Lulejian Middle Row Brandon Brownell Matthew Kutz Daniel Neufeld Top Row John Sieve Johnny Garcia

Clarinets

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 15


(L-R) Alice Pambukyan Emily Barrett Elizabeth Kim Amanda Mallory Sydney Cook

Front Row Matthew Mraz Austin Hansen Back Row Carson Kimber Nathan Prieto Alberto DiCicco

16 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


(L-R) Jonathan Brosnac Alex Johnson Dane Dormedy Destin Ha Jerome Song

Palveen Sekhon Eric Kim

Joel Harris Joshua Perkins

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 17


David Less e r

Director of Bands David Lesser is the first Director of Bands at the Clovis North Educational Center since opening in 2007, and has 17 years of teaching experience in the Clovis Unified School District (CUSD). He administers all aspects of CNEC Instrumental Music grades seven through 12, conducts the Wind Ensemble, directs the award winning Bronco Marching Band and Color Guard, and conducts the pit orchestra for CNEC musical productions. Mr. Lesser is also the Secondary Instrumental Resource Teacher for the CUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department. Mr. Lesser is a proud graduate of California State University, Fresno.

D

avid Lesser is the first Director of Bands at the Clovis North Educational Center since its opening in 2007 and has 17 years of teaching experience in the Clovis Unified School District (CUSD). He administers all aspects of CNEC Instrumental Music grades 7-12, conducts the Wind Ensemble, directs the award winning Bronco Marching Band and Color Guard, and conducts the pit orchestra for CNEC musical productions. Mr. Lesser is also the Secondary Instrumental Resource Teacher for the CUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department. Mr. Lesser is a proud graduate of California State University, Fresno. Prior to opening the CNEC Mr. Lesser held positions as Band Director and Assistant Band Director at Clovis West High School from 2001-2006. Since the opening of CNEC in 2007 the Clovis North High School Instrumental Music Ensembles have received National, State and local recognition. Notable performances include: an invitation to perform at the 71st annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago Illinois, December 2017, a featured ensemble at the 2017 California All State Music Educators Conference, a featured band at the 2016 Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and served as a lab band for Robert Sheldon at CASMEC in 2014. The Bronco Marching Band has been named Western Band Association (WBA), class or grand champions multiple times since 2010. Mr. Lesser was proud to serve as part of the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade Music for All National Honor Band Instructional Staff. In 2014 Mr. Lesser received a Crystal award from the Clovis Unified School District for excellence as an educator. In 2006 Lesser was recognized by SBO Magazine as one of the “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” in the United States. He was also the Fresno Madera Counties Music Educator Association (FMCMEA) Jazz Educator of the Year in 2005. David is always looking to support the performances of new wind band literature and is happy to have been a part of commissioning multiple works for wind band by composers such as Michael Daugherty, “Rio Grande”, Gary Gilroy, “Beacon of Polaris” & “Forever in a Golden Paradise” (to be premiered at the 2017 Midwest Clinic, Timothy Mahr, “Symphony No. 1 for Band”, Vince Oliver, “Press Play”, (to be premiered at the 2017 Midwest Clinic, and is a member of the California Wind Band Consortium inaugural commission by Adam Schoenberg 2019 premiere. David has served in numerous capacities for national, state and local professional organizations, NAfME, WBA, FMCMEA, CMEA Central Section, San Joaquin Valley Color Guard and Percussion Review. He is the founder of the San Joaquin Valley Concert Band Invitational, an affiliate of the Music for All National Concert Band Festival presented by Yamaha. Mr. Lesser has been married 16 years to his beautiful wife, Carol Lesser, who is a Registered Dietitian and an extremely hard working mother. They have two beautiful children, Sarah and Justin. Mr. Lesser would like to give special thanks to the colleagues he works with daily, Mr. David Gabrielson, Mr. Jose Vargas, Mr. Arthur Howansky, Mr. Shawn Glyde, Mr. Erik Dewhirst, Mrs. Heather Bishop, Mr. Joel Abels, Ms. Jennifer Appleby and Mr. Cody Ashford for their leadership, collaboration and hard work in creating a high standard throughout the entire Clovis North Educational Center Performing Arts Department.

18 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


Dr. Lawr ence Suther land

D

Guest Conductor

r. Lawrence Sutherland served as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at California State University, Fresno from 1969 until 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Tulsa and his Master of Arts degree in Music Theory from the University of Missouri. His Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting was the first to be awarded by the University of Arizona. Dr. Sutherland has performing credits as a trombone/euphonium player with the St. Louis Symphony, Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra, Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra, Tucson Symphony, Fresno Philharmonic and the Tommy Dorsey, Ralph Marterie, Richard Maltby and Woody Herman bands. Dr. Sutherland’s duties at CSUF included conducting the Wind Ensemble and teaching classes in conducting, score study, and trombone/euphonium performance. He conducted the University Orchestra in the spring of 2007. In addition to these duties, he has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Tulare County Symphony Orchestra and as Interim Music Director and Associate Conductor of the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Sutherland has served as guest conductor and adjudicator throughout the United States, Alaska, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, England, the Philippines, Australia, Korea, Singapore, China and Japan. Dr. Sutherland conducted the UCLA Wind Ensemble during the 2012-13 school year. Dr Sutherland has served as an adjudicator for World Projects Productions in England and Australia and is currently Artistic Director for World Projects’ International Band and Orchestra Festivals at Carnegie Hall in New York and Disney Hall in Los Angeles. He is past President of the Western Division of the College Band Directors’ National Association. In 1976 he was voted into membership of the American Bandmasters’ Association. He served as the Western Coordinator of the National Association of Jazz Educators for eight years, and Southern Section President of the California unit of the International Association of Jazz Educators. In March of 2010 he was inducted into the California Alliance for Jazz Hall of Fame. Dr Sutherland founded the unique Western States Collegiate Wind Band Festival, now in it’s 33rd year In 1999 Dr. Sutherland was voted the Outstanding California Music Educator, and also received the Byron Hoyt Award from the California Music Educators Association. The California Band Directors Association presented Dr. Sutherland with their Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in February, 2000. In 2011 CMEA presented Dr Sutherland with the Aubrey Penman Retired Music Educator award. Dr. Sutherland is the only person to have directed all three California Music Educators All-State instrumental honor groups—Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. He has conducted the SCSBOA All-Southern High School Band twice and has been a 4 time conductor of the CBDA All State Band. He has conducted the California Community College Northern Section Honor Band 4 times and the Southern Section twice, as well as the All-Northern California Honor Band and the Northern California Honor Band. Dr. Sutherland was the organizer and Chief Conductor of the California State University Select Wind Orchestra, performing for the 9th Meeting of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in San Luis Obispo, CA, in July of 1999. The CSU, Fresno Wind Ensemble, under his direction, received virtually every honor a university band can be awarded. They made their Carnegie Hall debut in June of 1996. They performed, by invitation, for the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles in Belgium, the All-Japan Band Directors Conference in Nemu-No-Sato, audiences in Shanghai and Beijing, the College Band Directors National Association Conference at UC Berkeley, the California State Band Directors’ Conference, and the Music Educators National Conference. They performed for the American Bandmasters Association conferences in Tempe and Las Vegas. In addition, they participated in many state and regional MENC, CBDNA, CMEA and CBDA conferences. The CSUF Wind Ensemble has commissioned works from Claude Smith, Philip Wilby, Robert Gerster, Jerome Sorsek, James Sochinski, Zdenek Lukas, and Jack Fortner. The Wind Ensemble is featured, along with Black Dyke Mills Band, on a CD of the wind works of the English composer Philip Wilby on Doyen Records.

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 19


Ramiro Barr era

Guest Conductor

After 36 years as a High School Band Director, Mr. Barrera announced his retirement in June 2012. During his tenure he created outstanding band programs at Lincoln High School in San Jose, Clovis West High School in Fresno, and James Logan High School in Union City. During those years the groups amassed 28 West Coast Marching Band Championships.

R

amiro Barrera has had the distinct honor of conducting county and state level honor bands in California. He is also sought after as a clinician, adjudicator and conference presenter around the country.

Throughout his career he has championed new composers by commissioning 14 original works for Wind and Jazz Ensembles. He was a founding member and president of the Western Band Association, a board member of CBDA, Alameda County Music Educators Association and the Fresno Madera Music Educators Association. Currently he is the Interim Wind Ensemble Conductor at CSU Stanislaus and at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, Calif.

A few of Barr era’s pr estigious events: World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), Cincinnati Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, Chicago Carnegie Hall, New York City Edinburgh International Music Festival, Scotland Beijing Olympics, China 3 Performances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City

20 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


Jose Vargas

Assistant Dir ector of Bands Jose Vargas is an Assistant Band Director at Clovis North Educational Center where he directs three Granite Ridge Intermediate School Bands, the Clovis North Concert Band and assists with the high school Wind Ensemble, color guards, and the Bronco Marching Band. Mr. Vargas has also served as the interim conductor of the CSU, Fresno Symphonic Band for the 20132014 school year. He currently serves on the Fresno-Madera County Music Educator’s Board as Past President. Mr. Vargas is also the High School Band Conductor at the YMCA Summer Music Camp at Sequoia Lake. Prior to working at Clovis North Educational Center, Mr. Vargas was the Band Director at Fresno High School where he started a competitive Winter Guard, rejuvenated the Jazz Band, created a Percussion Ensemble, re-established the parent booster club, obtained private lessons for all his band students, and greatly improved the Concert Band. Mr. Vargas took his Percussion Ensemble and Concert Band to festivals where they received Superior ratings. Mr. Vargas earned his Bachelors of Arts in Music from La Sierra University in 2007 and his Masters in Music in Instrumental Conducting from California State University, Fresno in 2010. He has studied conducting with Dr. Ken Narducci and Dr. Gary P. Gilroy. Mr. Vargas resides in Fresno with his wife, Allison.

David Gabrielson

Assistant Dir ector of Bands David Gabrielson serves as an Assistant Director of Bands at Clovis North Educational Center in Fresno, CA. Mr. Gabrielson is also a member of the Adjunct Faculty at California State University, Fresno. Advocates for new music, Mr. Gabrielson and his colleagues have commissioned composers for band and percussion ensemble including Beacon of Polaris (2011), Where the Mountains Meet the Sky (2013) and Passageways (2015). He also conducted the world premiere of Accidental Migration (2007) with the Fresno State Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Gabrielson holds a Master of Arts in Music Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Fresno State University. A very active freelance musician, Mr. Gabrielson is a member of the Sacramento Choral Society Orchestra, Music in the Mountains Summer Orchestra, Bear Valley Orchestra and keeps an active performing and adjudicating schedule including regularly performing with the Fresno Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony, Sacramento Philharmonic, Sacramento Opera. He has also performed with such artists including Branford Marsalis, Doc Severinsen, Edgar Meyers, Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck and Placido Domingo among others. Mr. Gabrielson currently serves as Vice President of the California Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and cohosts the Central CA Day of Percussion. Mr. Gabrielson is proud to be a REMO Drumhead Artist and a YAMAHA Performing Artist.

Arthur Howansky Dir ector of Orchestras

Arthur Howansky received his Bachelor of Music degree from California State University at Fullerton in 1983, and a Master of Fine Arts in violin performance, under a Regent’s scholarship, from UCI in 1993. His violin instructors include, Haroutune Bedelian, Lewis Main Jr., Lori Ulanova, and Noumi Fischer. Before moving to Clovis in 2004, he was on the music faculties at Concordia University, Irvine, Waldorf School of Newport Beach, and also taught strings at a number of Elementary schools for the Capistrano Valley School District. Other teaching positions include String and Orchestra instruction at the Rudolph Steiner Arts School in Oslo, Norway. He conducts the Granite Ridge Middle School Beginning and Advanced Orchestras, and the Clovis North High School String and Symphony Orchestras.

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 21


Mr. Howansky’s professional orchestra experience includes performances with the Orquesta Ciudad de Malaga, Spain, American Institute of Musical Studies Orchestra (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, Mozart Classical Orchestra, Capistrano Valley Symphony, South Coast Symphony, Fresno Grand Opera Orchestra, and the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra. His chamber music experiences include performances with the Del Gesu String Quartet, Los Angeles Pops Quartet, Utah Chamber Orchestra and Irvine Chamber Orchestra. He has participated in numerous recording sessions in Los Angeles for movie and cartoon soundtracks, commercials and music recordings. Mr. Howansky has played with a number of pop artists such as Johnny Mathis, James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Barry White and Robert Goulet, to name a few. He was the FMCMEA Orchestra Representative for the 2011 and 2012 seasons and continues his work with FMCMEA as the site coordinator for their Honor Orchestra performances. He is also a member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAFME).

Erik Dewhirst Music Assistant, Director of Jazz Bands Erik Dewhirst, a native of Reedley CA, studied trombone with Robert Bergstrom while attending Reedley High School. He was principal trombonist of the 1991 California Band Directors Association All-State Honor Band. Erik was also California’s only selectee in the 1991 McDonald’s All American Band. He went on to major in Music Education at Fresno State where he studied with Dr. Larry Sutherland. In 1998, Erik enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve as a trombonist. Throughout his 12 years as a Marine, Erik has been a featured soloist in three different Marine bands. In 2009 he furthered his study in performance, conducting, arranging and rehearsal techniques at the Armed Forces School of Music Unit Leader Course in Virginia Beach, where he was recognized as the honor graduate. He went on to be an Assistant Small Ensemble Leader at the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Miramar CA where he led Marines in rehearsal and performance. A veteran since 2013, Erik has enjoyed performing throughout San Diego, most visibly in Sea World’s “Sea Street” band and the San Diego Zoo’s, “Chameleons” brass band. He is lead trombonist with the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra and performs with Salsa artists Manny Cepeda and Charlie Chavez and Blues artist Earl Thomas. He is married to his high school sweetheart Lisa Dewhirst, (formerly Blied) a flutist, and recently returning band director to Reedley. Erik joined the Clovis North Music team this fall, conducting their two jazz ensembles and mentoring the middle school and high school low brass sections. Erik and Lisa are happy to be back home in the valley pursuing new endeavors in music education. Erik has four talented children ranging in age from 13 to 19.

Shawn Glyde Dir ector of Marching Percussion Shawn Glyde is a U.S. based musician, drummer, author, recording artist, drumline arranger, writer and instructor. In 2016, Shawn released his brand new method book series, Quick Start Drums, for drum set and drumline studies. He has recorded 3 solo fusion albums to date which have been highlighted in Modern Drummer Magazine. He spends most of his time working on band and indoor percussion show designs. His original compositions and arrangements for marching band and indoor marching percussion have won numerous honors including 2010 and 2011 WBA AA Champions (percussion Champions 2010, 2012, 2013) and 2013 WBA AAA Grand Champions. He writes for several band and percussion programs yearly and has an extensive catalog of indoor marching percussion and marching band shows to his credit. There are an estimated 150 competitive programs per year performing his musical arrangements. Currently, Shawn’s related affiliations include Music Team 7 - film scoring and sound design (2012-present), Concord Blue Devils ‘A’ drum set arranger/consultant (2009- present), Clovis North High School marching percussion arranger and show designer (2007-present), Fresno State University marching percussion arranger/advisor (2000- present), staff arranger for show-designs.com, xtremepercussion.com, keypoulanmusic. com, gpgmusic.com and related organizations (U.S. / Int’l.), private drum lesson (drum set and drumline) studio teacher (Clovis, CA).

22 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


Clovis North Area Elementary Music Teachers Steve Dailey Steve Dailey has been working as an instrumental music teacher in Clovis for 34 years. Over the years he has worked as a feeder for all five high schools in the District as both a band and orchestra instructor. He is presently working as a string orchestra instructor at Bud Rank Elementary, Copper Hills Elementary, and Jefferson Elementary.

Joe Farkas Joe Farkas began playing the trumpet in the seventh grade in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Mr. Farkas received his BS and MA in Music Education from Western Connecticut State University where he was the director of the University of Bridgeport Preparatory Jazz Ensemble. The jazz ensemble performed throughout the eastern United States, Canada, and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. As a professional musician Mr. Farkas has performed with the New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury Symphonies until 1978. In 1978 he moved to California and continued his teaching career with the Clovis Unified School District. Professionally, he has been a member of the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra since 1978.

Joe Lenigan Joe Lenigan holds a BME from Kansas University and a M.S. from Fresno State University. Mr. Lenigan was drum major for the Marching Jayhawks from 1979 thru 1982. He also performed in the jazz program under Dr. Ronald McCurdy as well as the concert bands. While earning his MA degree, Mr. Lenigan performed with the Fresno State ‘Jazz A’ under the direction of Dr. Larry Sutherland and was the assistant Marching Band Director under the directorship of Frank V. Bibb and Dr. M. Scott McBride. Mr. Lenigan’s performance credits include; Johnny Mathis, Audra MacDonald, John Davidson, Natalie Cole, Regis Philbin, Marvin Hamlisch, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Temptations and the Four Tops.

Francisca Pr eciado Ms. Preciado is a graduate of Clovis High School and California State University, Fresno earning a B.A. in Music Education while studying percussion. She has given 20 years of service to the Clovis Unified School District and is currently teaching strings and classroom music at Fugman Elementary, Riverview Elementary, and Mountain View Elementary.

Clovis North Applied Faculty Er ik Dewhirst Erik Dewhirst, a native of Reedley Calif., studied trombone with Robert Bergstrom while attending Reedley High School. He was principal trombonist of the 1991 California Band Directors Association All-State Honor Band. Erik was also California’s only selectee in the 1991 McDonald’s All American Band. He went on to major in Music Education at Fresno State where he studied with Dr. Larry Sutherland. Erik joined the Clovis North music team this fall, conducting their two jazz ensembles and mentoring the middle school and high school low brass sections. Erik and Lisa are happy to be back home in the Valley pursuing new endeavors in music education. Erik has four talented children ranging in age from 13 to 19.

Char lene Harr ison Charlene Harrison is a retired band and orchestra teacher who taught 41 years in Reno, Nevada and Clovis, California. She and her husband Tom currently live in Fresno, California where she maintains a large clarinet studio which includes students of all levels from beginners through college level.

Evan Johnson Evan Johnson is a Fresno State Graduate with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music Education. He has played in multiple groups in his time at both Fresno City College and Fresno State, including the scholarship group Clendenin Brass Quintet. He has performed in multiple states around the country including concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Angelica Nuby Angelica Nuby is currently the flute professor at San Joaquin Delta College and has taught at Baylor University and University of North Texas as a graduate assistant. She has taught flute for nearly twenty years. Nuby has played in the Stockton and Fresno Philharmonic Orchestras as well as the Lonestar Wind Orchestra.

Chr is Golden Christopher Golden is an active horn player and music educator in California’s Central Valley. Chris earned a B.M. in Horn Performance from Northwestern University and a M.M. in Wind Conducting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Chris currently resides in Fresno, CA, with his wife Ali, who is also an active performer and music educator. Chris performs regularly with The Sequoia Symphony in Visalia, and The Wind Symphony of Clovis. He has also performed with many professional orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout Central California. He can be heard on iTunes performing with the UNLV Wind Orchestra on the albums “Lost Vegas” and “Ventanas.” As an educator, Chris maintains a private lesson studio and teaches horn at the Clovis North Educational Center and The College of Sequoias in Visalia. In 2013, Chris worked as part time faculty at California State University, Fresno, where he taught Ear Training, Basic Conducting, and served as Assistant Band Director of the Bulldog Marching Band. From 2014-2017, Chris directed the band, orchestra, and percussion programs at El Capitan Middle School in Fresno, CA.

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 23


Fresno’s location, very near the geographical center of California, places the city a comfortable distance from several of the major recreation areas and urban centers in the state. Just 60 miles south of Yosemite National Park, it is the nearest major city to the park. Likewise, Sierra National Forest (40 miles), Kings Canyon National Park (60 miles) and Sequoia National Park (75 miles) are close. As of 2016, the city’s population was 520,000, making it the fifth-largest city in California and the 34th-largest in the nation. The county of Fresno was formed in 1856 after the California Gold Rush. It was named for the abundant ash trees lining the San Joaquin River. The county was much larger than it is today as part of Tulare County, comprising its current area plus all of what became Madera County and parts of what are now San Benito, Kings, Inyo, and Mono counties. Before World War II, Fresno had many ethnic neighborhoods, including Little Armenia, German Town, Little Italy, and Chinatown. Fresno is marked by a semi-arid climate, with mild, moist winters and very hot and dry summers, thus displaying Mediterranean characteristics.

24 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


The city of Clovis began as a freight stop along the San Joaquin Valley Railroad (SJVRR). Organized on January 15, 1890, by Fresno businessmen Thomas E. Hughes, Fulton Berry, Gilbert R. Osmun, H. D Colson, John D. Gray, and William M. Williams, in partnership with Michigan railroad speculator Marcus Pollasky, the SJVRR began construction in Fresno on July 4, 1891 and, reached the farmlands of Clovis, Cole and George Owen by October of that year. At the same time the railroad was being planned, a group of Michigan lumbermen began acquiring thousands of acres of timber in the Sierra Nevada about 75 miles northeast of Fresno. A dam was built across Stevenson Creek to create a lake that would enable them to move freshly cut timber to a mill beside the lake. They then constructed a 42 mile 25 foot high V-into a flume that started at the foot of the dam. As lumber was rough-cut at the mill, it was loaded into the flume and propelled by water to a planning mil east of the Clovis Railroad station. The completion in 1894 of the lumber flume and commencement of mill operations provided the impetus for further development of the area around the Clovis Station. The town began to take shape as lumber yard employees built homes close to their employment. Many buildings in the town core have been renovated. Older storefronts on Clovis Avenue, the main street running through town, have been restored and new buildings have been designed with facades that resemble those found in the early 20th century and given the name, “Old Town Clovis�.

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 25


The Clovis North Educational Center opened in the Fall of 2007 where “Unity, Courage, and Commitment” are action words that guide our students and staff. The District’s fifth and newest comprehensive intermediate school and high school are designed and organized to provide a seamless, focused, and dynamic seventh -12th grade educational experience. The collaborative culture of the campus is built upon the core values and beliefs of our District that inspires all students to maximize their performance in mind, body, and spirit. The school consists of Granite Ridge Intermediate School and Clovis North High School housing approximately 3,800 students. Before the school opened, several of their future teachers came together to discuss what they wanted their educational institution to become over the years. One of the outcomes of this discussion was the creation of the, “Code of the North” and is as follows:

We believe that all of the students of Clovis North should have a well-balanced curricular and co-curricular focused education. We have the gamut of performing arts, athletic, and academic teams as well as many cultural clubs and groups offered to all students on the campus of CNEC.

26 | Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois


The Clovis North Instrumental Music program began ten years ago with 18 students in the ninth- grade band as it opened as a seventh through 12th grade campus with Mr. David Lesser as Director of Bands and Mr. Shawn Glyde as Percussion Director. In the fall of 2008 our first Assistant Director, David Gabrielson, was added to the team to oversee concert percussion and manage the percussion program in grades seven through12. The band program has since grown to over 150 students participating in the Clovis North Marching Band, wind ensemble, concert band, jazz band, chamber ensembles, winter guard, indoor percussion, and percussion ensembles. The seventh and eigth grade bands are taught in the same room where all the music faculty are able to work with students from seventh through 12th grade. The intermediate band program has grown to over 200 students participating in three concert bands and is led by Assistant Director, Mr. Jose Vargas. The string program, under the leadership of Mr. Arthur Howansky has flourished with 110 students participating in three intermediate string ensembles and 70 students participating in two high school string ensembles. Having a seventh through 12th grade campus has allowed us to articulate and integrate students from all grade levels, as our symphony orchestra and jazz bands incorporate student participants in the same setting. In the fall of 2016, we were happy to add Mr. Erik Dewhirst to our faculty as a music assistant and Director of Jazz Bands. An overwhelming percentage of band and orchestra students consistently earn chairs in the county and state honor bands and orchestras. We offer a wide range of applied music faculty during the school day to provide group and individual lessons. In 2017 the Clovis North Band will host the Ninth-Annual San Joaquin Valley Concert Band Invitational, which is an original Music for All-Regional Festival and affiliate of the Music for All-National Festival presented by Yamaha. The festival is held mid-April in our beautiful concert hall named after an outstanding Clovis Unified music teacher, Paul Shaghoian. The festival brings the Nation’s finest educators, musicians, and conductors to serve as evaluators, clinicians and guest conductors for the event. We are proud and fortunate to have a supportive elementary music program where 100 percent of our fifth and sixth grade students participate in either band, orchestra, or choir. These groups are led by Mr. Joe Farkas, Mr. Joe Lenigan, Mr. Steve Dailey and Ms. Francesca Preciado. CNEC is thankful for their work with these students.

Clovis North Wind Ensemble / 2017 Midwest Clinic, Chicago, Illinois | 27


Clovis Unified School District is a high-performing ex-urban school district spanning close to 200 square miles in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. Serving more than 42,400 students and more than 6,000 employees, the district is home to 43 comprehensive schools and eight specialty programs. A philosophy that encourages students to be the best they can be in mind, body and spirit drives the district’s emphasis on the performing arts and athletics, along with character development and academics. Clovis Unified has been recognized dozens of times to the California Gold Ribbon and National Blue Ribbon programs, seen all five of its middle schools designated National Schools to Watch, and consistently has programs ranked among the best in the nation. Learn more at www.cusd.com.


Clovis Unified School Board Sandra A. Budd, Board President Christopher Casado, Member Steven G. Fogg, M.D, Member Brian D. Heryford, Board Vice-President Ginny L. Hovsepian, Member Elizabeth Sandoval, Board Clerk Dr. Jim Van Volkinburg, Member

Clovis Unified School Distr ict Dr. Eimear O’Farrell, Superintendent Dr. Don Ulrich, Deputy Superintendent Norm Anderson, Associate Superintendent, School Leadership Barry Jager, Associate Superintendent, Human Resources Michael Johnston, Associate Superintendent, Administrative Services Dr. Debbie Parra, Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Darin Tockey, Assistant Superintendent, Clovis North Area Daniel Bishop, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator Marie Lackey, Visual and Performing Arts Administrative Assistant Charla Rojas, Visual and Performing Arts Administrative Assistant Shelly Gingold, CNEC Area Administrative Assistant Sally Palermo, CUSD Curriculum Administrative Assistant

Clovis North Educational Center Administration Scott Dille, Principal Tami Graham, Deputy Principal Sonia Torosian, Deputy Principal Anthony Follis, Learning Director, Instrumental Music Genevieve Barnes, El Dorado Cluster Administrative Assistant

Clovis North Ar ea Music Teachers David Lesser, Director of Bands, CNEC Jose Vargas, Assistant Director, CNEC David Gabrielson, Assistant Director, CNEC Arthur Howansky, Orchestra Director, CNEC Erik Dewhirst, Jazz Director, CNEC Shawn Glyde, Director of Marching Percussion, CNEC Jim Rogers, Brass Instructor, CNEC Joe Lenigan, Elementary Music Teacher Joe Farkas, Elementary Music Teacher Francisca Preciado, Elementary Music Teacher Steve Dailey, Elementary Music Teacher Heather Bishop, Choir Director, CNEC Jennifer Appleby, Choir Director, CNEC

Thank you to the following people for help and preparing the students for their performance: Pam Ellezy, Flute Rachel Aldrich, Oboe Audrey Jones, Oboe Charlene Harrison, Clarinet Shannon Weber, Clarinet Diego Zarate, Clarinet Steve Dailey, Bassoon Larry Gardner, Bassoon Jose Vargas, Saxophone

Alan Durst, Saxophone Tim Shaghoian, Saxophone Chris Golden, French Horn Eric Cymanski, Trumpet Ryan Vance, Trumpet Erik Dewhirst, Low Brass Key Poulan, Low Brass David Gabrielson, Percussion

Thank you to the following private instructors who guide our students to become advanced craftsmen on their instruments Janette Erickson, Flute Angelica Nuby, Flute Audrey Jones, Oboe Charlene Harrison, Clarinet Larry Gardner, Bassoon Alan Durst, Saxophone Eric Cymanski, Trumpet Lloyd Ellis, Trumpet

Evan Johnson, Trumpet Elisha Wilson, French Horn Chris Golden, French Horn Erik Dewhirst, Trombone, Euphonium Ben Bishop, Tuba Michael Downing, Percussion Shawn Glyde, Percussion

Thank you to the following people for your love, support, and presence in my life: Thank you to my beautiful wife Carol, who makes everything I do possible. I couldn’t do any of this without you. I appreciate you being the rock of our family and love you give me in spite of how frequently my demanding professional schedule interferes with our home life. I am sure I can’t even begin to realize all the sacrifices you make for it to work. Thank you for standing by me to support my passion for education and music. Sarah and Justin, you two make me so proud. The love I have for you is so great. Thank you for being an amazing son and daughter! Alex Lesser, Family Jo Lesser, Family Marshall & Nancy Davidson, Family Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland, Mentor & friend Ramiro Barrera, Mentor & friend Key Poulan, Mentor & friend Dr. Gary Gilroy, Mentor & friend Allan Kristensen, Mentor & friend The Glyde, Vargas, Howansky, and Gabrielson families

To the following music educators who have had a profound effect on my growth as an educator and on our students as performers and musicians: Gregg Bimm Dr. Peter Boonshaft Col. Arnald Gabriel Bobby Lambert Dr. Thomas Lee Dr. Timothy Mahr

Gary Markham Richard Saucedo Dr. Kevin Sedatole David Starnes Alfred Watkins

Additional Support Kerri Curtis, Bronco Band Parent Chair Clovis North Bronco Band Parent Boosters The Clovis North Bronco Foundation Clovis Unified School District, Visual and Performing Arts Department DeAnna Turner, program design Dumont Printing, program printer Leonard Fong, student photos



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.