Two Tri-City Middle School Ensembles Honored to Appear at CA All State Music Education Conference Offer Preview in Union City

Each year over 200 music teachers and 1,000 students across the state meet at the California All-State Music Education Conference (CASMEC) to engage in networking and to celebrate the amazing talents cultivated here through music education. Comprising of clinics and concerts presented by both statewide and nationally renowned leaders in the music education profession, the long-anticipated CASMEC of 2017 will be held in San Jose from February 16 to 19.

Among the instrumental groups selected to perform at the event, two are middle school ensembles from the Tri-City area. They are: Hopkins Junior High School Advanced Orchestra (Fremont) and Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School Symphonic Band (Union City).

The other four groups also enjoying the commendable honor are: University of the Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Stockton), Clovis North Educational Center Wind Ensemble (Fresno), Cathedral City High School Symphony Band (Cathedral City), and Westlake High School Studio Jazz Ensemble I (Westlake Village). Congratulations to all the first-rate musicians and their extraordinary directors!

Led by Director of Instrumental Music Gregory Conway, Hopkins Advanced Orchestra stands out as the only string orchestra invited to perform at the upcoming conference. The group has grown and developed remarkably since its inception in 2005. At the California Music Education Association (CMEA) All-State Band and Orchestra Festival held in May, 2016, Hopkins Advanced Orchestra captured a perfect score of 100---unprecedented in the four-year history of the Festival! The ensemble was a featured performer at CASMEC for the first time in 2012 when the conference was held in Fresno. That coveted experience five years ago was quite a feat. "It involved a lot of work, both on my part and on that of students,” recalled Conway. However, it turned out to be a worthwhile undertaking performing for a most discerning audience. "I am sure the students will benefit greatly from the experience---many of them who participated (in 2012) still consider it one of the highlights of all of their time in school," Conway added.

At Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School (formerly Alvarado Middle School), Band has always been an important part of school since it was opened in the 1960s, according to Nelson Agregado, alumnus and current Director of Bands. Since the Symphonic Band started about 20 years ago, it has consistently received “Unanimous Superior” ratings at CMEA festivals. The students are thrilled to be showcasing their talents soon at such a prestigious event as CASMEC---a dream for many aspiring student ensembles. "This is a huge honor for us and history in the making for our school to be represented at the state convention,” admitted Director Agregado. “I am very proud of all the hard work our Band students have put forth.”

When Conway was still a college student, he had known about Agregado and his music program, but their paths had never crossed until 2009 when their distinguished musicians had a dominant presence in the Alameda County Honor Band. For years since, the two teachers had played an integral role there working on every detail from conductors and repertoire, to other logistics for the Honor Band. Determined to promote the advancement of music education, both currently serve on the CMEA Bay Section Board --- Conway as Large Group Festival Coordinator, and Agregado as Representative for Alameda County. Brought together time and again because of their continuous pursuit of excellence in music education, these two accomplished educators now look forward to the exceptional opportunity of having their own school ensembles featured on the same stage at CASMEC!

Agregado appreciates the community’s effort in bringing about a quality music education, and is impressed particularly by the families of his Symphonic Band students. "Only by everyone working together has made an honor like this possible. I want to thank the parents for supporting their students by driving them to and from rehearsals, performances and lessons."

Indeed more driving is expected when the two schools present concerts as dress rehearsals leading up to their appearance at CASMEC. To get all the musicians accustomed to playing for a large audience outside of their own schools, and to ensure that they deliver nothing but the best, concerts have been scheduled at other schools in the area. The first one will be held at James Logan High School (Union City) on February 9. This would allow each group to run through the entire hour-long set of music, and to exhaust any possibility of improvement in preparation for their spectacular day in San Jose!

While the actual featured performances are open only to directors who have registered for the statewide convention, the general public is welcomed to preview the show put on by these two distinguished groups a week ahead in Union City.

Hopkins Junior High School / Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School Joint Concert

Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 7 p.m.

James Logan High School Center for the Performing Arts

1800 H Street, Union City, CA 94587

Free admission

Open to public