Flash Mob of Claremont Children Just Want to Sing, Sing, Sing

They may have tried to look inconspicuous, but the group of 100 children and the large group of parents and loved ones who converged on the open square at the West Village actually attracted a lot of looks on Sunday.

At 4 p.m., they earned a big round of applause.

The group, made up of choral members from various schools within the Claremont Unified School District, held a large flash mob that day. The event was a partnership between the music teachers and the Claremont Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps raise money to fund art and music programs in the district.

“We wanted to come up with something that would demonstrate to the community what their money was going for,” said Ken Corhan, foundation president. “And as they say, any great idea is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”

“I didn’t come up with the idea,” Corhan said. “It was Donna Marie (Minano) and her group of wonderful music teachers that, through training her kids and with the enthusiasm of the kids put this together. We’ve never done this before.”

Minano is a musician and educator with the Claremont Community School of Music. She teaches general music to more than 1,000 elementary school children in the district, according to the music school bio. She also teaches voice and recorder. The foundation helps pay for the program.

For the flash mob performance, children rehearsed briefly at the Park and Ride parking lot on First Street and College Avenue. The crowd then set off in as many different directions possible to the West Village’s open square. where the children set up to belt out “Sing, Sing, Sing,” a song made famous by Benny Goodman and his Swing Band.

"We'll go separately so we don't look like a peace march," Minano quipped before everyone set off.

The businesses at the square got a boost as parents browsed the shops. Business owners looked out to see a swarm of people. Customers were abuzz. There was energy in the air. Judging from the success of the event, Corhan said other events that were similarly unique were possible.

Minano, who teaches at Sumner and Mountain View elementary schools, was helped with the event by her fellow music teachers: Christina Harrell, Oakmont Elementary; Charlotte Van Ryswyk, Vista Elementary; Edris Boyle-Kuzia, Sycamore Elementary; Lisa Pettygrove, Condit and Chaparral elementary schools.

“I think it’s wonderful. I’m excited that all the schools in Claremont are participating, all the elementary schools which is a unique thing,” said Runisha Fultz, of Claremont. Her daughter attends Sycamore Elementary School, she said.