Amador Valley High School Chosen to Perform at Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago

Information provided by the Amador Friends of Music—

Jonathan Grantham, Director of Bands at Amador Valley High School (AVHS), has announced a Farewell Concert to be presented by the school’s Wind Ensemble 1 prior to their traveling to Chicago in December, where  they will perform at an internationally recognized band and orchestra conference.

The Farewell Concert will be held on Monday, December 9, 2013, at 7:00 pm at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA. Tickets are $12 and available online at http://
mylvpac.com/ or at the Bankhead box office. The public is invited to attend.

Arguably the highest honor a school music program can receive, Amador Valley's Wind Ensemble 1 was chosen to perform at the 67th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December. They are one of just four high school bands chosen from across the country and the first from California to perform at the conference in 11 years. The conference hosts nearly 17000 attendees from around the world. 

Grantham said, “Our performance will shine a national spotlight on Amador's music 
program and all of the outstanding achievements at our school and in our district. This honor is not only a measure of this year's students, but is a result of the hard work and accomplishments of the alumni that built this excellent program.” 

Fundraising is underway to help with trip costs. The Amador Friends of Music (AFM), a non-profit parent-booster organization, is raising funds for the 57 student ensemble to travel to Chicago. While most of the trip costs will 
be paid by the families of the musicians, Sally Baker, the Vice-President of Fundraising for AFM, said there are some costs for which AFM is raising funds.

“This is an honor for all of Pleasanton, and we are asking the community, alumni, and all friends in music to make a donation in support of these Pleasanton music emissaries.” Baker has a goal to raise fifteen-thousand dollars for costs related to instructor expenses, printed programs, and some other travel expenses. Grantham adds, “Working with my amazing students in our preparations for the Midwest Clinic has been a hugely rewarding process. The support from the parents and the community is helping to make this trip possible.” 

Donations may be made online at www.amadormusic.org, or checks may be sent to Amador Friends of Music / Midwest Clinic, P.O. Box 602, Pleasanton, CA 94566. 

Baker adds, “Individuals are invited to make a donation of any size and are reminded to use corporate matching grant programs when available.”

Sponsorships are available for businesses and organizations. Baker can be contacted at 925-518-5916.