BY
PETE CLARKE - PCLARKE@SIERRASTAR.COM
 |
 |
PETE
CLARKE/SIERRA STAR
Members of the YHS Jazz Band played three selections
at the dedication of the new YHS Music Building Thursday night,
January 15: “Spring’s Awakening,” “Bubbert Goes Under Cover”
and “Milo at the Midway.” |
PETE
CLARKE/SIERRA STAR
Caleb Radmacher of the YHS jazz band performed
a soulful solo for the audience gathered at the dedication
of the new YHS Music Building on Thursday night, January 15. |
On Thursday,
January 15, in the early evening, Yosemite High School’s new, state-of-the-art
Music Building was dedicated. There was an excellent turnout from
the community for the event, which included a performances by members
of the Treble Ensemble and the YHS jazz band.
The choir and the band have been using the building for several
weeks. The choir side of the new facility includes three-step tiers
to one side that run the length of the room. The room can be used
for either an audience, class seating or for the choir itself. The
broad floor level area includes three practice booths. In the other
half of the building, the band room is open with plenty of space
for the 40 piece band. It too has three practice rooms.
The final clean-up outside wasn’t finished until recently. “We got
the paving down last Friday and today cabinets went in,” said YHS
Principal Steve Raupp in his introductory speech. “Except for a
few odds and ends the band and choir are completely moved in.”
The previous home of the band and choir, the Performing Arts Center,
is about to be gutted. The remodel is expected to take 10 months
and will result in a new facility that will seat 400 — 250 permanent,
amphitheater style seats with room for 150 temporary ones. The open
area in front of the stage where the extra seating would be located
could also be used for a thrust stage or an orchestra pit. The displaced
YHS Drama Department has been housed in a temporary building. In
the spring they will be performing outside in the park. When the
Performing Arts Center is completed only one of the original campus
buildings will remain to be redone — the arts/home economics center,
which will be tackled next year.
“At the end of April we’ll be getting into the ground for the 23
classroom Academics Building.” said Raupp, “And the pool should
by completed by August.” [see Sierra Star, Friday, January 9, “Transformation
of Yosemite High School,” for a complete rundown of changes at the
school].
Raupp acknowledged the presence of several Board members — Karen
Hutchings, Linda Olson and Tom Allcock, who said, “We help spend
the money,” which got a laugh from the audience.
Raupp also acknowledged the Director of Business Services, T. “Shrini”
Srinivasan, who has done a masterful job “pushing the figures around,”
and juggling budget needs in a tight fiscal climate.
After Principal Raupp finished speaking, members of the Treble Ensemble
lead by director Tony Mowrer sang two songs: “My Love and I” and
“Shenandoah.” Jonathan Costa accompanied the choir on the piano.
Afterwards the audience moved to the YHS Band’s side of the building
to hear members of the YHS Jazz Band (including band director Randy
Hyatt) play three selections: “Spring’s Awakening,” “Bubbert Goes
Under Cover” and “Milo at the Midway.”
The combined Band and Choir along with the Eighth Grade Honor Band
and Choir will be performing at 7 p.m., March 25 at the Mountain
Christian Center. Mark your calendars.
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