As the school year winds down, the community has an opportunity to hear for itself how much the award-winning Newhall School District’s performing arts programs do for students, with a series of spring concerts featuring hundreds of student musicians and singers.

The concerts will showcase the talents of fourth, fifth and sixth grade students involved in the district’s orchestra and chorus programs, with the young musicians and singers performing everything from traditional spirituals to Adele’s hit “Skyfall” from the movie of the same name.

“It’s a pretty exciting night,” said Jana Gruss, who teaches classroom music and chorus. “It gives them excitement and an adrenaline rush.”

Concerts are scheduled for the following dates at Wiley Canyon Elementary School, 24240 La Glorita Circle:
May 24: Beginning Orchestra and spring concert, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
May 25: Beginning Orchestra and spring concert, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
June 1: Intermediate/Advanced/Honor Orchestra and spring concert, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
June 2: Intermediate/Advanced/Honor Orchestra and spring concert, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Over the past several years, the district has invested about $90,000 in its music programs and it has made a notable difference, Gruss said. There are approximately 1,000 students districtwide who play instruments in school music programs, and the district owns about 700 instruments. That means if a child’s family cannot afford to rent an instrument, the district can provide them one. Just three years ago, she said, the district only owned about 300 instruments.

“We believe in the value of music education for developing well-rounded students and continue to see how important it is,” district Superintendent Paul Cordeiro said. “With the combination of an excellent teaching staff and augmented resources, we’ve seen how students have blossomed academically through music.”
Starting in kindergarten, Gruss explained, students have exposure to music education. Students in K-3 have classroom music programs culminating in end-of-the-year recorder concerts, and when they enter fourth grade they have the option to choose between being involved in orchestra or chorus programs. Orchestra instruments include brass, woodwinds, violin, cello and percussion.

“It’s a very purposeful, cohesive, districtwide program, and it’s during the school day so all kids have access,” said Gruss, who has been teaching in the district for 30 years. “The K-3 program is very purposeful in preparing students for the fourth grade experience.”

While students learn the fundamentals of music and performance through their classes, there are also other qualities being reinforced through their education.

“There’s a lot of cooperation, learning together and helping each other,” Gruss said. “They encourage each other to do their best.”

There will be featured artist performances at each concert, from nine students who were required to audition for the chance to perform.

“They’re some of the most talented students,” Gruss said. “It’s amazing what they can do.”

Also part of the spring concerts will be performances by the District’s honor orchestra, comprising approximately 80 of the district’s top musicians, who were required to audition for a spot. They meet one night a week for eight to 10 weeks to practice, coached by professional orchestral musicians. At this year’s concert, they’ll be playing selections from John Williams’ “Star Wars” score and Johann Strauss.

“For some of those kids, that experience is what propels them into a lifelong journey of playing,” Gruss said. “It produces this person who is inspired to practice. It helps them dream a little bit.”

She shared the story of a boy who, before his audition, was in tears because he was so nervous. When she asked him afterward what he thought of the experience, she said, “He told me ‘I never thought something like this would ever happen.’ It gives them more confidence that someone believes in them.”

Music and performing arts are prioritized at all of the district’s 10 elementary schools, and one of the district’s current projects will increase opportunities to showcase that priority. The current renovation of the historic Newhall Elementary School auditorium, planned to wrap up next December, will provide a state-of-the-art performance space for students and the community. The Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts will feature seating for more than 500, professional acoustics and high-tech audio-visual capabilities. It is the District’s final project funded by voter-approved Measure E.