Alameda PTA Council and Entire Productions put on a fabulous concert to raise funds to save Alameda's elementary music programs that are being cut next year.  The concert was packed with Alameda's finest students and professionals volunteering their time for the cause. 
 
 
The concert was full of surprises, from 83 year old Bobby Sharp (Unchain my Heart and Doin' the Impossible), rattling off rhymes that a ten-year-old could not get through, to 4th grader, Nellie Ake, singing the blues like a pro. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The MC, Stan Bunger from KCBS, brought the Eyewitness Blues Band including Mike Sugerman and Steve Rubenstein (Chronicle Reporter) to poke fun at NPR and Katie Couric. 
 
They were joined by Dan Foltz on drums, Kelly Park on Piano, and John Wiitala on Bass.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Al Hart, one of the most heard voices in Bay Area radio, also took to the stage, and impressed the crowd with Pennies from Heaven and Bye Bye Blackbird.
 
 
  
 
 
 
Natasha Miller and Terrence Brewer performed seamlessly together during My Romance.
 
They both came back later in the concert and commanded the stage during their brillant solos 
 
Natasha was accompanied by her brothers, Justin and Jeremy Miller during Little Wing by Jimmy Hendrix.  What a talented family!
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
        
                             Chris Planas                                                     Kelly Park & John Wiitala
 
 
          Dann Zinn   
 

Elementary, Middle & High School Student Performers

            
The concert showcased elementary through high school students, entertaining the audience with a wide range of musical talents.  What better way to show how important musical education is to our students. 
        
 
The Concert started outside with the Cougar Cadet Corps Drumline entertaining the crowd even before they entered Kofman Auditorium.  They took their energetic show to the stage.  What an incredible way to start the show!  To find out more about their group, visit: www.myspace.com/cougarcadetdrumline.
 
           
 
 

The next group of students were from Franklin and Paden Elementary Schools, taught by Ms. Lynn Tousey.  They sang Music Alone Shall Live, Alameda!, and We Shall Overcome.                   

 
You could not tell that Allison Hart-Booth's students from Edison and Ruby Bridges Elementary Schools had never performed together before.  They had the whole audience singing during Che Che Koolay and Mama Don't Allow.
 
 
The last group of Elementary Students was from Bay Farm Elementary School.  Natasha Miller joined them to sing Doin' The Impossible written by Bobby Sharp.  What an honor to perform a song for him!
 

 

After intemission and a very succesful raffle, The Chimpan Middle School Orchestra, led by Tyra Cable, filled the stage.  You can tell they have all put in the practice needed to sound that great!

The last two groups were from rival High Schools.  The first was the Alameda High School Jazz Band, conducted by John Hidalgo.  They performed two original songs: Break the Table by Lisa Hicko, and Beat the House by Josh Ramos.  What amazing talent!

                   

The next band, Haiku Ambulance from Encinal High School, also performed orignal songs.  The lead, Ian Merrifield, is well know for being the Student Body President, and for leading the Student Protest agianst budget cuts earlier this year. 

   

         Ian Merrifield                      Becky Sotello                  Benjamin Briggance                 Leo Khalaf

 

The very long, yet wonderful, concert ended with a standing ovation for the beautiful duet from Natasha Miller and Nellie Ake, singing At Last. 

   

 

After Hours....                                                                                              

 Trish Spencer, Marti Cooper, Bonnie Nelson-Duffey, Stan Bunger, Lorri Garrett & Les Chan.

Thank you to all of the wonderful performers and volunteers that gave their time and energy to put on such an outstanding concert.  Music is so important to our community, and especially to our children!  SAVE OUR MUSIC in Alameda! 

To DONATE to SAVE OUR MUSIC Click Here .

Reserve a Concert Highlights DVD ($10). Email:  Lorri_Garrett@hotmail.com 

Thank you to our phabulous photographers, Edward Jay and Chris Duffey.  Please see their additional pictures at the following links:

 
 
Promotional Support by:

KKSF, KCBS and KFRC Radio Stations and the Alameda Sun

 

Concert Sponsors:

Alameda Pediatric Dentistry, Alameda Towne Centre, Bright Horizons/Garner Learning Center, Dr. David Johnson,

DDS., Maureen Shandobil, and Pasta Pelican. 

 

Special Thanks to:  Stan Bunger at KCBS Radio for everything!

East Ocean Seafood for donating delicious food for our concessions

Pappo, Peet’s Coffee, and Tomatina for donating food for our performers

Stitches by Baker for t-shirt printing: http://www.stitchesbybaker.com/

Donna Fletcher at AUSD and Meg Madden @ MuST