Academy News

Hamilton Academy of Music’s three traveling choirs held a spectacular concert on February 2^nd at Temple Isaiah. They sang a wide variety of music ranging from the Renaissance period through 20^th century works. All three choirs received standing ovations. In conjunction with the concert, a parent organized auction raised thousands of dollars to support upcoming competitions including the renowned Reno Jazz Festival. A special recognition to Alex Gonzales, Sherry Davis, & Jackie Shulman who led a fabulous committee of dedicated workers. The event was a smash!!

On Saturday night, January 26, 2007, seven Academy of Music students joined with the orchestra of Los Angeles Opera for a fully-staged performance of George Friedrich Handel's oratorio "Judas Maccabeaus." The company's music director James Conlon conducted the orchestra, soloists and choirs at the performance attended by about 6,000 at the Cathedral Our Lady of the Angels. Our students made up half of the string section, sharing stands with regular members of the LA Opera orchestra.

The Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association held its annual All-Southern California Honor Jazz Concert on Sunday afternoon, February 24, 2008 at Cal State Fullerton. Four Academy of Music students were chosen from hundreds of young musicians from throughout Southern California to take part in this prestigious concert. Thaddeus Brown, tenor saxophone, Zachery Frotton, alto saxophone, Joshua Herrmann, trombone, and Andris Mattson, trumpet, members of Jazz Ensemble “A,” participated in this concert representing the Academy in a most positive manner.

The Hamilton Jazz bands keeps on getting better and better!

First the Disney Concert Hall and now the Hollywood Bowl?

Our nationally renowned, award winning Jazz ensembles, under the direction of Mr. Dan Taguchi will be performing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, May 11. It’s Mother’s Day, but what a fabulous place to take your mom! And yes, there is more---Jazz ‘A” has been invited to open the 2008 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl on Saturday, June 14. It’s a privilege and an honor to perform at this prestigious event. Pack you picnic basket and join us at the Bowl.

Catch these fine young musicians now!

Don’t be the last on your block to own the 2006/07 CD, “1+1 for only $15.00.

Alumni continue to make headlines. If you’re looking for entertainment this weekend you have many choices, but you won’t want to pass by two great concerts with our alumni being featured.

Josette Wiggan, who graduated from Hamilton Academy of Music in 2001, will be featured at UCLA in “Women in Tap” concert. The concert on Saturday, February 9^th starts at 8 p.m. in the Glorya Kaufman Hall on UCLA campus. For tickets call (310)475-4412.

Yoon-Soo Lee, who left Hamilton Academy of Music in 1996, went on to study piano in Germany. He is a very accomplished pianist who has won many prestigious competitions including the Busoni International Piano competition. He has performed at the Merano Festival, Carnegie Hall, with the Hamburg Philharmonic only to mention a few. Ms. Weiser, his former piano teacher at the Academy of Music, has organized a concert at her church on Saturday, February 9^th – First United Methodist Church of San Fernando. For tickets call (818)365-3156.

The Academy of Music Vocal Jazz Ensemble receives a standing ovation for their performance at the International Association of Jazz Educators conference. On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble left for Toronto, Canada to participate in the IAJE annual conference. The group attended several workshops, watched other vocal groups perform, and of course, the highlight was their own stellar performance at the conference.

A senior in the Academy of Music participated in 2007 Youth Vocal Compition of the Intimate Opera Company of Oct. 23 and made it to the "Concert of Finalists" to be held at the Nixon Libray in Yorba Linda on November 4 at 2 p.m. Emily is a member of the award winning Chamber Music choir and was recently seen as Penny in the Drama Department's production of You Can't Take it With You.

Thank you so much for our stunning Benefit Concert. The stage, with its ultra-dramatic lighting, dazzled me, and the music, especially the finale, left me giddy. Outside of our own kids’ concerts, which hold a special place in my heart, I have seldom enjoyed a concert more.

-- Ellen Stonehill, Teacher

Hamilton has triumphed at last!

This afternoon Allen Magana and Daniel competed in the final round of Opera Challenge. A few weeks ago they were selected to be two of the three finalists, along with Andy Ramirez from LA County High School of the Arts.

Today they took the 45-minute written portion and then in front of the pre-performance lecture audience, they each got one oral question to answer.

Here are the results:

3rd place ($500): Andy Ramirez
2nd place ($1,000): Allen Magana
1st place ($2,000): Daniel Alley

Benefit Concert to be held on June 7th in the Norman J. Pattiz Concert Hall. An alumni jazz combo will open the evening followed by several well-renowned professional jazz artists performing. A VIP reception will host celebrities & public officials. An evening not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased online at hamiltonmusic.org or by calling (310)280-1477.