Clark Band Hits a Home Run

The Clark College Band was larger than life when their performance before an Oakland Athletics’ baseball game was projected on the O.co Stadium JumboTron. More than 39,000 spectators heard the band perform the National Anthem. Photo courtesy of the Oakland Athletics.

On June 21, 2015, the Clark College Band demonstrated its excellence to more than 39,000 spectators at the Oakland Athletics Baseball Father’s Day game in O.co Coliseum (formerly Oakland Coliseum) in Oakland, California.

“There was nothing more exhilarating than playing that last note and hearing the roar of 39,000 people cheer throughout the coliseum! It was really quite an unforgettable moment for the students and myself,” says Clark Band Director Rich Inouye. “Clark should be extremely proud of how the band students represented the college that afternoon.”

This exciting performance opportunity started last January when the Clark Band received the invitation from the Athletics. The trip was funded through the Associated Students of Clark College (ASCC). The Office of Communications and Marketing also supported the trip by funding uniform shirts for band members.

As part of the Clark’s focus on diversity and cultural exchange, the students were also treated to a music masterclass by Rebeca Mauleón, an internationally acclaimed musician, bandleader, composer, Grammy-nominated producer, author, and leading pedagogue on Afro-Cuban and salsa music. For music students like Courtney Elsberry, the opportunity to learn from one of the music industry’s leading authorities had an incredible impact. “Getting to listen to Rebeca talk about the rich history and culture behind Afro-Cuban music was incredible,” she says. “It was an honor getting to meet her and gain some very vital knowledge.”

In addition to the stadium performance and music masterclass, the Clark band students also watched the Drum Corps International West competition at Stanford Stadium on the Stanford University campus and toured the infamous Alcatraz Island penitentiary.

“Having opportunities to travel broadens my perspective of my music education, and shows me the importance of being in an ensemble and music family,” says Clark Foundation Fields Scholarship recipient Anna James. “Without these trips that Clark College so generously funds, I would not be prepared to tackle the musical challenges facing me at my upcoming enrollment in a four-year university.”

Inouye adds, “This trip really demonstrates Clark’s community commitment to helping develop the student experience. It was truly a collaborative effort, from coordinating with Athletics and Facilities to use our baseball field to rehearse, to the funding from ASCC and shirts from Communications & Marketing. We all put Clark’s name in lights!”

Article submitted by Richard Inouye

Photo and video courtesy of the Oakland Athletics