The FC jazz band and Adoration ensemble will take part in the opening night of Christmas Tree Lane, Dec. 1. Groups will perform at a performance slot at the corner of Ashlan and Van Ness. They plan to play from 6-7:30 p.m., first by the jazz band, followed by the ensemble.
The community event takes place annually. The Fresno County Office of Education’s Fine Arts Coordinator, Bob Bullwinkle, sent out word to all of the schools in Fresno County, inviting their participation on a first come-first serve basis. FC has been fortunate to receive a spot to perform.
Normally, people drive their cars from one end to the other but the street is shut down to vehicles so that families can walk together and enjoy the lights put up by residents.
Matthew Garza, an eighth grade trombone player for the band, is excited to perform in front of a varied audience and personally looks forward to playing “Swingle all the Way.”
“This is my first time performing in front of so many people so I am slightly nervous,” Garza said. “I like playing the ‘Swingle all the Way’ because it is an easy song to present.”
The guitarist for jazz band Eric Cowin, ’14, looks forward to the event.
“It’s going to be an interesting experience because a large crowd will be there to watch us,” Cowin said. “It will be a whole another experience playing my guitar in the cold with my hands numb.”
Participants from the Adoration ensemble also remain positive about the upcoming performance. Senior Stefani Peck works hard to sing as well as possible.
“I am very excited to sing because so many people will come to watch us,” Peck said. “I like to sing “Relatives are Coming to Town” because it has a good melody.”
As the deadline comes closer, Summer Dawn Villanueba, ’15, improves her voice tone and quality.
“We were asked to sing for the event and I am elated to sing,” Villanueba said. “We will do our best to perform and hopefully impress others who come to watch us.”
Along with the students preparing for the event, music director Michael Ogdon also looks forward to the evening and feels optimistic about the event.
“I’m really happy to be a part of something so many people love to attend,” Ogdon said. “It’s going to be memorable.”
For more information, please contact Ogdon at 559.287.4226. For more news, read the Nov. 19 article, BREAKING: Feather named All-American publication.
