Performing and Visual Arts

The busy spring music festival season is underway and Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters is thrilled to have several recent Instrumental Music and Choir accomplishments to report.
 
Congratulations are in order for the Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. The Orchestra earned Unanimous Superior ratings at the Homestead Orchestra Festival in front of a very tough judging panel. The Jazz Ensemble also earned Unanimous Superior ratings and took 3rd place in their division at the Campana Jazz Festival and 2nd place at the Folsom Jazz Festival. A Choral vocal ensemble also attended Folsom and soloists Kayla Medeiros and Bee Reinsberg received special recognition.
 
Additionally, Acalanes was represented in the 2025 California All-State Jazz Band by Nathan Joseph who was a featured soloist. Last but not least, congratulations to the 16 Instrumental Dons who represented Acalanes in the 2025 County Honor Band.
 
We are very proud of the students’ dedicated teamwork and commitment to excellence!
 
Rehearsals for the Spring Musical, SpongeBob Squarepants, are underway and you will not want to miss this show, so save these dates! Apr 23-26 in the Performing Arts Center.

Lafayette Schools Band/Orchestra Concerts – Jan 27-29, 7pm at Stanley Middle School
Acalanes Instrumental Music ensembles will be performing with Lafayette elementary and middle school students in the Stanley gym on the following days:

• Jan 27 – Acalanes HS Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble
• Jan 28 – Acalanes HS Wind Ensemble
• Jan 29 – Acalanes HS Orchestra

All are welcome to attend and enjoy the musical celebration!

Lafayette Schools Choral Concert – Jan 23, 7pm at Stanley Middle School
The Acalanes Choir is excited to perform at the Lafayette Schools Choral Concert. Come enjoy vocal music performances by Lafayette students of all ages.
 
Folsom Jazz Festival – Jan 25, Folsom High School
The top-ranked Jazz Combos and Jazz Ensemble (1st & 2nd place, respectively, in 2024!) will represent Acalanes at this premier Jazz Festival. Let’s cheer on our musical Dons as they compete in this ranked festival.
 
Lafayette Schools Band/Orchestra Concerts – Jan 27-29, 7pm at Stanley Middle School
Acalanes Instrumental Music ensembles will be performing with Lafayette elementary and middle school students in the Stanley gym on the following days:

• Jan 27 – Acalanes HS Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble
• Jan 28 – Acalanes HS Wind Ensemble
• Jan 29 – Acalanes HS Orchestra

All are welcome to attend and enjoy the musical celebration!

Lafayette Schools Choral Concert – Jan 23, 7pm at Stanley Middle School
The Acalanes Choir is excited to perform at the Lafayette Schools Choral Concert. Come enjoy vocal music performances by Lafayette students of all ages.

Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters would like to recognize the 16 Acalanes musicians who were selected for the prestigious Contra Costa County Honor Band. Acalanes Instrumental Music Dons made a record showing this year and we look forward to their concert in February!

Koto Watanabe, Flute*
Serina Eun, Clarinet*
Monique Khouw, Clarinet*
Noah Frankel, Clarinet
Claire George, Clarinet
Melina Galacatos, Bass Clarinet*
Emme Young, Bass Clarinet
Aya Watanabe, Bassoon
Jonathan Judson, Tenor Saxophone
Bennett George, Trumpet
Emerson Boudreau, Horn
Harrison Mrachek, Horn
Emmett Brummel, Trombone*
Leah Dong, Tuba
Jake Rennie, Percussion
Naoto Watanabe, Percussion
Asterisk indicates 1st Chair – Principal

Choral Winter Concert
Please join us in celebrating the season at the Acalanes Choir Winter Concert  featuring the Harmonix, Octet and more!
When: Thursday, Dec 12, 7pm
Where: AHS Performing Arts Center


 






Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters would like to give a big shout out to the Acalanes musicians who were selected for the California All State Jazz Band and California Honor Orchestra. The All State review panel selects only one jazz piano player from the entire state and APAB is very proud of Nathan Joseph for his accomplishment. Nathan is a talented multi-instrumentalist and will perform with the All State Jazz Band in Sacramento in January. Props also go to violist Miela Hsu and cellist Nathan Feng for earning seats in the California Honor Orchestra and for representing the Acalanes Union High School District at a performance in Santa Monica next month.

Acalanes Choir Concert at St. Mary’s
The Acalanes Choir is pleased to join the St. Mary’s College Choir and the DVC Chamber Singers in performing at the St. Mary’s College Choir Concert, “Keep Looking Up”. The Acalanes Choir will perform at the Thursday night concert only.
When: Thursday, Dec 5, 8pm
Where: St. Mary’s College Chapel, Moraga

Winter Concert 2024
Join us for some holiday cheer as Acalanes Band Director Edwin Cordoba leads his amazing musicians in a festive performance!
When:  Wednesday, Dec 4, 6:30pm
Where: AHS Performing Arts Center
Music Groups: Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Drummer Dons, Acastix
Admission Price: Free ($10 donation suggested)

The Acalanes Choir will perform at the “It’s A Wonderful Life in Lafayette” event  in the Park Plaza on Sat, Dec 8 at 5:10.
 
Choral Winter Concert
Please join us in celebrating the season at the Acalanes Choir Winter Concert  featuring the Harmonix, Octet and more!
When: Thursday, Dec 12, 7pm
Where: AHS Performing Arts Center


 











Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters would like to give a big shout out to the Acalanes musicians who were selected for the California All State Jazz Band and California Honor Orchestra. The All State review panel selects only one jazz piano player from the entire state and APAB is very proud of Nathan Joseph for his accomplishment. Nathan is a talented multi-instrumentalist and will perform with the All State Jazz Band in Sacramento in January. Props also go to violist Miela Hsu and cellist Nathan Feng for earning seats in the California Honor Orchestra and for representing the Acalanes Union High School District at a performance in Santa Monica next month.

Fall Jazz Concert
Don’t miss the upcoming Fall Jazz Concert featuring the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Stanley Messengers and special guest, The Kyle Athayde Band! Come join us for a fun-filled evening as they perform toe-tapping music that will please everyone!
When: Wednesday, Nov 20, 7 pm
Where: Performing Arts Center at AHS
Performers: Acalanes Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Stanley Messengers and special guest, The Kyle Athayde Band
Admission: Free

Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters is incredibly proud of the over 50 students who worked together over the last three months to produce the DramaDons fall production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The performance was delightful, enchanting, and wonderfully comedic. The talents of every member of the team, Stagecraft students, production crew, and cast shone bright under the gorgeous moonlit set. Bravo, DramaDons!

Save the date for the Fall Jazz Concert, featuring the Acalanes Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Stanley Messengers and special guest, The Kyle Athayde Band. This event will take place on Wednesday, Nov 20 at 7pm in the Performing Arts Center.