Members of the Clark College Jazz Band watch for a cue from Band Director Rich Inouye during their performance at the 56th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival.

Every year during the last weekend of January, the Clark College Jazz Festival fills Gaiser Hall with swinging tunes from middle and high school bands. This year was no exception, with a total of 1,116 students from 55 schools flocking to the highly regarded festival–including some from as far away as Alaska.

But among the bright jazz tunes were a few bittersweet notes, for this festival marked the last to be helmed by music professor Richard Inouye.

Prof. Rich Inouye speaks during the 11th and final Clark College Jazz Festival that he will organize.

On Saturday night, at the conclusion of the AAA and AAAA Finals, President Robert Knight got on stage to recognize Inouye for his 11 years of service with Clark College as the Director of Bands. Knight praised his teaching in the classroom, his conducting skills with Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble, his leadership of the Annual Jazz Festival, and his committee and leadership work across the campus.  President Knight presented Richard with a collage canvas print of the colored jazz festival covers which were directed by Inouye during his tenure.

Behind the scenes, Clark students decorated the festival’s “green room” with some of their favorite “Richisms,” including, “Own it, fix it,” “Results, not excuses,” “You set the tone,” and “Rhythmic resistance.”

The 56th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival’s Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes trophy was awarded to Mead High School Jazz Band I from Spokane, Washington. Other honorees included:

Thursday Middle School Silver Division jazz ensemble finals results:

• 1^st place – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle, WA
• 2^nd place – Beaumont Middle School, Portland, OR
• 3^rd place – Chief Umtuch Middle School Advanced, Battle Ground, WA

Blue Division Judge’s Award – Chief Umtuch Middle School Advanced, Battle Ground, WA

Outstanding Middle School Jazz Musician certificates were presented to:

• Parker Bruning – Hockinson Middle School, Hockinson, WA
• Adam Haunreiter – Hockinson Middle School, Hockinson, WA
• Connor Cuff – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
• Deitrich Vu – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
• Tai Beaulieu – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
• Mireia Pujol – Liberty Middle School, Camas, WA
• Mason Calaway – Wahluke Middle School, Mattawa, WA
• Isaac Moroshan – Laurin Middle School, Vancouver, WA
• Justus Jones – Carmichael Middle School, Richland, WA
• Shelby McCombs – Pleasant Valley Middle School, Vancouver, WA
• Dominic Mendoza – Chief Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground, WA
• Reagan Speakman – Skyridge Middle School, Camas, WA
• Grady McHenry – Tukes Valley Middle School, Battle Ground, WA
• Chris Moore – Beaumont Middle School, Portland, OR
• Nate Moore – Beaumont Middle School, Portland, OR
• Parker Casazza – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle, WA
• Lacy George – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle, WA

Friday, January 26, 2018 A and AA division high school jazz ensemble finals results:

A Division:

• 1^st place – Northwinds High School, Port Angeles, WA
• 2^nd place – Petersburg High School, Petersburg, AK
• 3^rd place – Woodland High School, Woodland, Wa

Outstanding high school musician awards for the A Division were presented to:

• Jesse Weaver – Douglas High School, Winston, OR
• Noah Pratton – Mcloughlin High School, Milton Freewater, OR
• Ciaran Healey – University Prep, Seattle, WA
• Ursula Sargent – University Prep, Seattle, WA
• Adam Kennedy – Northwinds High School, Port Angeles, WA
• Tristan Lowman – Northwinds High School, Port Angeles, WA
• Isaac Hall – Woodland School District, Woodland, WA

AA Division:

• 1^st place – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
• 2^nd place – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
• 3^rd place – Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AA Division were presented to:

• Kara Stella – RA Long High School, Longview, WA
• Saunder Borst – Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane, WA
• Elaine Scott – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
• Meggie Rodewald – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
• Kaylin Woods – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
• Grant Hobbs – Columbia River High School, Columbia River, WA
• Cade Lilley – Fife High School, Tacoma, WA
• Kaelyn White – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
• Emily Johnson – Washougal High School, Washougal, WA
• Jack Broer – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
• Riley Lyons – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
• Erik Hawkins – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA
• Zeke Dodson – Hockinson High School, Hockinson, WA

Saturday, January 27, 2018 AAA and AAAA division high school jazz ensemble finals results:

AAA Division:

• 1^st place – Mead High School Jazz I, Spokane, WA
• 2^nd place – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
• 3^rd place – Mt. Spokane High School Jazz I, Spokane, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AAA Division were presented to:

• Ashton Hemming – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
• Dominic Mendoza – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
• Jacob Khawaja – Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego, OR
• Penelope Tharp – Lakeridge High School, Lake Oswego, OR
• Isaac Ford – Kelso High School, Kelso, WA
• Tony Brence – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
• Ericka Mecham – Prairie High School, Brush Prairie, WA
• Josh DeQuiroz – Mountain View High School, Vancouver, WA
• Ricky Gagliardi – Mead High School, Spokane, WA
• Connor Brennan – Mt. Spokane High School, Spokane, WA
• Chris Ramirez – VSAA Focus, Vancouver, WA

AAAA Division:

• 1^st place – Bothell High School Jazz I, Bothell, WA
• 2^nd place –Battle Ground High School Advanced, Battle Ground, WA
• 3^rd place – Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, WA

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AAAA Division were presented to:

• Justin Foley – Heritage High School, Vancouver, WA
• Amy Boedigheimer – Heritage High School, Vancouver, WA
• Mairead Rising – Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, WA
• Galin Hebert – Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, WA
• Hannah Whitlow – West Salem High School, Salem, OR
• Cameron Roche – West Salem High School, Salem, OR
• Anthony Bolden – West Salem High School, Salem, OR
• Mario Esquivel – Chiawana High School, Pasco, WA
• Benito Ramirez – Chiawana High School, Pasco, WA
• Gabe Aldape – Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, WA
• Manuel Aldape – Lake Stevens High School, Lake Stevens, WA
• Chase Williams – Union High School, Camas, WA
• Sean Grimm – Union High School, Camas, WA
• Gary Hobbs – Union High School, Camas, WA
• Gabe Bradley – Mountain View High School, Vancouver, WA
• Nick McClatchey – Bothell High School, Bothell, WA
• Preston Lee – Bothell High School, Bothell, WA
• Laney Pham – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA
• Shane Walz – Battle Ground High School, Battle Ground, WA

Shelly Williams contributed this article. Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley.

Each year, the Clark College Jazz Festival brings young musicians from throughout the region to Clark.

The 56th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival presents three full days of exhilarating big band jazz on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 25-27, 2018 in Gaiser Student Center on Clark College’s main campus. Admission is $5 per day. Clark College students and children under 12 accompanied by an adult will be admitted free of charge.

Sixty middle and high school jazz ensembles from throughout Washington and Oregon are scheduled to perform in this year’s competition with trophies presented to the top three jazz ensembles for middle schools and A through AAAA division high schools. Individual outstanding musician awards will also be presented at the end of each division’s preliminary competitions.  At the end of Saturday evening, the Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes Award will be presented to one outstanding band selected from the entire festival.

Preliminary competitions for the 2018 festival will start on Thursday with middle schools from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with middle school finals starting at 5:30 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, competition will begin at 8:00 a.m. with the A and AA division jazz bands performing on Friday and AAA and AAAA jazz bands taking the stage on Saturday. Finals competitions will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings ending with the trophies presentation.

The Clark College Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Festival Director Richard Inouye, will perform at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, noon and 8:30 p.m. on Friday, and at 12:20 p.m. on Saturday. The 2017 Sweepstakes Band, Garfield High School Jazz Band (Seattle, WA), under the direction of Clarence Acox, will hold the spotlight on Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m.

For complete information about the Clark College Music Department concerts featuring the orchestra, band, jazz ensemble, and choirs, please see http://www.clark.edu/campus-life/arts-events/music/index.php.

The History of the Clark College Jazz Festival

The heritage of the Clark College Jazz Festival dates back to 1962 when Hud­son’s Bay H.S. band director, Don Cammack, began organizing a one-day high school stage band invitational for schools from Clark and Skamania coun­ties. Organized by the Vancouver and Evergreen public schools, Fort Vancou­ver H.S. and Evergreen H.S took turns hosting the festival each year. Sponsors of the festival included Southwest Washington Music Association and Lower Columbia River Music Educators Association. In the early years, the trophies were made by middle school band director, Jack Ager, creatively construct­ing musician figures from miscellaneous hardware and car parts! In 1970, Dale Beacock, then the band director at both Fort Vancouver H.S. and Clark Col­lege, held the invitational “Clark Stage Band Contest” for the first time at its current home, Clark College. This inaugural event hosted 17 high school jazz bands with preliminary competitions held in what was then known as the Gaiser Hall dining area, with finals in the gymnasium. Dale’s vision of a competitive jazz showcase for schools throughout Washington and greater Portland pro­moted the growth of the festival and in 1971 the festival grew to 32 bands held over two days on Friday and Saturday. In 1976 the number of participating bands grew to 52, welcoming bands from Oregon and Idaho. In 1985, Chuck Ramsey took over the reigns as Festival Coordinator successfully organizing the festival for the next 22 years. Chuck’s achievements bringing consistency in the operations of the festival and increased student involvement set the ground­work for the educational enhancement, leadership, teamwork, and a sense of ownership the Clark student volunteers experience today. In 2008, Richard Inouye came onboard as Festival Director. His professional and educational experience has brought a new dynamic to the festival by encouraging a focus on jazz education and utilizing technology to promote community awareness, public support, and streamline festival operations. In 2012, the Clark College Jazz Festival celebrated its 50th Golden Anniversary. Highlights of this milestone included the Clark College Alumni Band directed by Chuck Ramsey which fea­tured Clark band alumni from three generations of Clark band directors. Dale Beacock and Chuck were also presented Legacy Sweepstakes Awards for their historic contributions to the festival. Today the Annual Clark College Jazz Fes­tival welcomes 60 middle and high school jazz ensembles, over 1,200 student jazz musicians to the campus, and over 3,000 people to the Vancouver com­munity throughout the three-day event. In 2013, the festival went international welcoming two bands from Tsawwassen, British Columbia!

About the Clark College Music Department

Clark College offers a two-year Associate in Music Degree (DTA/MRP) that includes music theory/ear training, instrumental and vocal performance training, and ensemble experience. Classes are designed to prepare the music major for advanced studies at a four-year institution while providing the non-major with the skills and background to fully enjoy music as a cultural pursuit. Ensembles on campus include three choral groups, orchestra, concert band, and jazz ensemble. Three tenured and several adjunct faculty, provide professional instruction to the 500+ students that pass through Beacock Music Hall each year.

Clark College’s Jazz Ensemble performing at the 2016 University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival.

For the third time, the Clark College Jazz Ensemble distinguished themselves among the other colleges and universities representing seven states at the 2016 University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival, held April 21 through 23. This year, eight Clark College Jazz Ensemble students received Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship awards, recognized from the 8,000 festival participants. The Clark students who received awards were:

• Mattias Tyni – trumpet
• Keith Cheek – tenor saxophone
• Anna James – tenor saxophone
• James Powers – trombone
• Jenny Baird – trombone
• Hayden Lilak – bass
• Josh Gonzales – drums
• Sam Niborg – drums

Clark students James Powers and Keith Cheek with John Clayton, bassist and leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra.

In addition to performing for adjudication and clinic from internationally recognized jazz educators, Clark students also had the opportunity to listen to performances, workshops, and panel discussions presented by luminaries in the field of jazz including the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Houston Person, Joey DeFrancesco, and Ellis Marsalis.

“The experience of visiting the Greeley Jazz Festival this year was exhilarating,” said Clark student James Powers. “It has been said that it can be disappointing to meet one’s heroes, but I can say that that is not always the case. When speaking with some of the learned men of music, I was greeted with humility and kindness. Just as important as the uplifting musical performances, was the realization that these performers were all just regular people who have just practiced more than I have. Overall I would say that as a result of attending the festivities, I have come to several inspiring and informative conclusions about the nature of my craft, and I believe the same can said for my fellow band members.”

Members of the Clark Jazz Ensemble saxophone pose with iconic saxophonist Houston Person.

Jazz Ensemble Director and music professor Rich Inouye said he could not have been more proud of the band’s performance at the festival.  “Many times you work so hard for something like this and when you perform, little mistakes pop up here and there, but this year’s performance at the festival was pure perfection,” he said. “I hope the Clark College community recognizes the work our band students put in to help Clark achieve this distinction. People in the audience shared with me how surprised they were when they found out we were a two-year college! It’s good that the Music Department can represent Clark’s academic distinction at the national level along with programs such as STEM, Speech and Debate, and Journalism.”

UPDATE: Recently, Powers has learned that he has even more reason to be exhilarated: He has been awarded the Festival’s highest award, a tuition scholarship to attend the world-famous Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop at the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. Powers was recognized as one out of only four recipients to receive this prestigious award from the 8,000 participants who performed at the national jazz festival. Powers is currently a resident of Gresham, Oregon and he graduated from Heritage High in Vancouver; he plans to complete a transfer degree with a major in music this spring. This award is a first for the Clark Music Department.

The Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop is recognized as being one of the best intensive programs for mastering jazz improvisation.  The festival features the nation’s leading jazz educators and performers and is dedicated to providing an intensive learning experience for musicians of all ages and levels. Theory Classes, Ear Training, Combo Performance, and Master Class Sessions allow the opportunity for attendees to grow and develop to their fullest potential, and each evening attendees get to listen to faculty jazz recitals presented by some of the leading jazz musicians from around the world.

Photos: Richard Inouye

This story was contributed by the Music Department.

Battle Ground High School Advanced Jazz Band wins First Place and Sweepstakes award at the 54th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival.

Three days, 57 bands, and more than a few firsts–the 54th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival had plenty to keep people entertained. The event, which draws jazz bands from middle and high schools around the region, kept Gaiser Student Center swinging with big-band music January 28-30.

For 2016, the Dale Beacock Memorial Sweepstakes trophy was awarded to Battle Ground High School Advanced Jazz Band, Battle Ground, Washington. This is the first time Battle Ground had taken the Sweepstakes trophy in at least a decade. Many of the band’s members have been directed by Greg McKelvey since middle school.

In other surprises, La Center–which had not been to the festival in more than 10 years–took third place in the A division. In the AA division, a newcomer to the festival, South Whidbey High, took first place, ending Hockinson High’s five-year tenure at the top.

Find out about more Clark College music events coming up during winter quarter.

RESULTS

Thursday, January 28, 2016 middle school jazz ensemble finals results:

• 1^st place – Jane Addams Middle School, Seattle
• 2^nd place – Eckstein Middle School, Seattle
• 3^rd place – Chief Umtuch Middle School, Battle Ground and Beaumont Middle School, Portland OR

Outstanding Middle School Jazz Musician certificates were presented to:

Lukas Miller, VSAA; Evan Siegel, VSAA; Tanner Linton, Hockinson; Ashton Hemming, Chief Umtuch; Dominic Mendoza, Chief Umtuch; George Fulton, Eckstein; Anna Thilke, Eckstein; Aiden Shapero, Eckstein; Colin Brace, Jane Addams; Jack Atwater, Jane Addams; Hannah McCollum, Beaumont; Aaron Freedman, Beaumont; Alex Wagstaff, Beaumont; Owen Traw, Beaumont.

Friday, January 29, 2016 A and AA division high school jazz ensemble finals results:

A Division

• 1^st place – Creswell I High School, Creswell, OR
• 2^nd place – Northwinds Homeschool, Port Angeles
• 3^rd place – La Center High School, La Center

AA Division

• 1^st place – South Whidbey High School, Langley
• 2^nd place – Hockinson High School, Hockinson
• 3^rd place – Mead II High School, Spokane

Outstanding high school musician awards for the A Division were presented to:

Gabe Pol, VSAA; Aubrey Hatch, Creswell 2; Diego Romero, McLaughlin; Brendan Smith, McLaughlin; Adam Kennedy, Northwinds; Claire Henninger, Northwinds; Tyrelle Massey, Woodland.

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AA Division were presented to:

Lorenzo Ponce, Ridgefield; Vincent DePiuto, Central Catholic; Connor Brennan, Mt. Spokane; Kent Stricker, Colombia River; Liam Twomey, South Whidbey; Nick Torres, Washougal; Nick Baciuc, Hockinson.

Saturday, January 30, 2016 AAA and AAAA division high school jazz ensemble finals results:

AAA Division

• 1^st place – Mead High School, Spokane
• 2^nd place – Roosevelt II High School, Seattle
• 3^rd place – Meadowdale High School, Lynwood

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AAA Division were presented to:

Nikki Anderson, Bothell II; Hunter Coleman, Mountain View II; Gabe James, Mead I; Michael Galeotti, Mead I; Jacob Volz, Meadowdale; Carter Eng, Roosevelt II.

AAAA Division

• 1^st place – Battle Ground High School Advanced Jazz, Battle Ground
• 2^nd place – Roosevelt I High School, Seattle
• 3^rd place – Garfield High School, Seattle

Outstanding high school musician awards for the AAAA Division were presented to:

Mariah Jones, Kelso; Jacob Sanders, Chiawana; Steve Montecucco, Battle Ground; Brandon Pressley, West Salem I; Calvin Huynh, Bothell; Santosh Sharma, Roosevelt I; Isaac Poole, Garfield.

Photo: Clark College/Shelly Williams

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

The Clark College Concert Choir visits the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music in 2015, where they performed for Dr. Christian Grasses, center, blue shirt, the conductor of the school’s concert choir. Photo: April Duvic.

Traditionally, the week after spring quarter ends is a time for students to rest and recover from the academic year. But not for the members of the Clark College Concert Choir, who spent four days performing and learning during an end-of-the-year trip to Los Angeles.

The trip, whose destination changes each year, is an annual tradition—a time for choir members to show off what they’ve learned over the past year and to get a chance to experience performing in front of new audiences. Last year, students traveled to New York to perform near the grounds of the former World Trade Center; the year before that, they visited San Francisco together with the Clark College Concert Band. This year the choir traveled by themselves. The trip, which is funded in part through the Associated Students of Clark College and in part through private fundraising by participating students, ran from June 21 to June 24.

The choir performed three concerts while in Los Angeles, the first of which was in the afternoon on the day they arrived. It was a community service outreach at the Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital and Care Facility, providing a Father’s Day concert for residents and their families and the staff at the hospital.

“The response from those in attendance was wonderful – the vets really appreciated having the choir perform,” said choir director April Duvic. “The students made such an amazing connection after they sang by going out into the audience and talking with the residents who attended the concert. It was life-changing for our students who had never had the opportunity to reach out and connect with vets like that before.”

The choir also visited the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music for a two-hour clinic with Dr. Christian Grases, the conductor of that school’s concert choir and an assistant professor in its department of choral and sacred music. They performed the Venezuelan folk song “Mata del Anima Sola” for him, in honor of Dr. Grases’ home country.

“Dr. Grases was able to impart incredible knowledge and really fire the choir up,” Duvic said. “He was amazed that the choir was from a two-year college. He enthusiastically invited the Clark College Concert Choir students to consider applying to USC and auditioning for the music department.”

The third and final official concert of the trip was hosted by All Saints’ Episcopal Church in East Los Angeles. The performance was attended by the church’s youth group and many members of the congregation and neighborhood, as well as by three Clark College alumni who live in the city. After the concert the youth group had an opportunity to talk with choir members about attending college and about the various educational plans the Clark students are pursuing.

“It was a positive experience for the Clark students to be able to talk about their college experience and encourage the church’s youth to go to college,” said Duvic. “The applause and standing ovation the choir received was a great way to end our tour.”

Professor Donald Appert conducts the Clark College Orchestra in 2015 at the end of his 25th year of teaching music at the college.

The award-winning Clark College Orchestra concluded its 2014-2015 season with its annual spring concert on June 14—an event that also served to celebrate Clark Orchestra Director and Conductor Donald Appert’s 25th anniversary at the college. The concert was held at the Royal Durst Theatre in the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics.

Dr. Appert receives a “memory box” full of messages from friends, colleagues, and former students at his 25th anniversary of teaching at Clark. The box was presented by Dean Miles Jackson.

Featured on the program was pianist Renato Fabbro performing the U.S. premiere of Maestro Appert’s Piano Concerto in Mi. In addition the orchestra performed “Buckaroo Holiday” from Rodeo by Aaron Copland and Scheherazade by Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov.

Clark College Band Director Richard Inouye, Music Department Program Coordinator Shelly Williams, Orchestra Director Donald Appert, and Vocal Music Program Director April Duvic gather to celebrate Prof. Appert’s 25th anniversary of teaching at Clark.

Dr. Appert was honored by the musicians, music department faculty, and college administration for his quarter-century of work at Clark College. Social Science and Fine Arts Dean Miles Jackson paid tribute to Appert after the concert for building the orchestra into a “fantastic program that keeps getting better and better each season.” He also applauded Appert’s commitment to the students in the classroom and in private instruction.

Clarinetist John Gibson, who played at Prof. Appert’s first Clark concert in 1990, returned to perform with him at his 25th anniversary concert on June 14, 2015.

Following the concert, Dr. Appert was further honored by long-time orchestra supporters and friends, as well as by the orchestra’s musicians, in a reception. Among those congratulating him were Kirsten Hisatomi Norvell and John Gibson, two musicians who played in the Clark Orchestra at Dr. Appert’s first Clark concert, which was held on December 5, 1990. Both Norvell and Gibson have played concerts with Dr. Appert throughout the years and performed in the June 14 concert.

Dr. Appert’s programming, which has won national awards through the years, is one of the artistic strengths that has built his reputation at Clark. In addition to programming standard orchestral repertoire, Appert has introduced Clark musicians to rarely performed works by lesser-known composers; premiered new works by contemporary composers; and performed a number of his own compositions. Dr. Appert also has a long history of bringing local, national, and international soloists and guest conductors to enhance the artistic experience of Clark College musicians. The 2014-2015 season featured baritone soloist David Wakeham (Australia) and guest conductor Paolo Biancalana (Italy) in addition to Fabbro, who teaches at the University of Portland.

Music Department Program Coordinator Shelly Williams contributed this article.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Don Appert (Tom Seeman)

This fall marks music professor Don Appert’s 25th year teaching at Clark College, and as befits the director of the college’s orchestra, he’s celebrating the occasion with plenty of fanfare–winning three prestigious music awards in less than a month.

Last month, Appert received third place the American Prize in the national The American Prize in Orchestral Programming competition. He recently also earned a 2014 ASCAP Plus Award in recognition of performances in Romania, Japan, and the US of his musical compositions. And on November 18, he is receiving a the Clark County Arts Commision’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“It is a great honor to receive the 2014 Clark County Arts Commission Lifetime Achievement Award,” says Appert. “In fact it is a bit overwhelming and somewhat difficult to adequately express my feelings in words. To be recognized for one’s work is always deeply satisfying. Concurrently winning Third Place in The American Prize for Orchestral Programming and also another ASCAP Plus Award for my musical compositions makes this a truly significant 25th anniversary of my teaching at Clark College.”

Appert, 61, chairs the college’s music department and conducts its orchestra. He also serves as the music director/conductor for the Oregon Sinfonietta and Jewish Community Orchestra in Portland, as well as the Sanctuary Choir Director for First United Methodist Church of Vancouver, and has been a guest conductor for the Vancouver Symphony. Appert has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in trombone from the New England Conservatory of Music and a doctorate in orchestral conducting at the University of Kansas.

Clark County commissioners and the arts commission will present the Lifetime Achievement Award at 9:45 a.m. at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. Appert will also be featured in a CVTV “Clark County Close Up” program that will begin airing November 16 on Comcast channels 21 and 23 and online.

Clark College Director of Choirs April Duvic nominated Appert for the award, according to a news release issued Friday by the county.

“Don has always been a champion of promoting music by and for the community,” she wrote. “The Clark College Orchestra is an amazing connection for players from all walks of life. The community members serve as examples and mentors for the students as well. Don composes music for the college choirs and the students are eager and honored to perform his works. It’s rare to have a composer of his excellence and renown at a community college.”

“It has been a great pleasure to watch the ongoing growth and development in size and quality of the Music Department, the Clark College Orchestra, and my own creative efforts as educator, conductor, and composer,” says Appert. “My thanks and deep appreciation go to my colleagues in Clark College’s faculty, staff, and administration, as well as to the student and community musicians who have encouraged and supported me these past 25 years.”

Photo courtesy of Clark College Music Department

Big Band Outstanding Musician awardee James Powers featured with the Clark College Jazz Ensemble in the Hensel Phelps Theater at the University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival. Photo courtesy of Richard Inouye.

For the second year in a row, Clark College Jazz Ensemble students have received top honors at the annual University of Northern Colorado/Greeley Jazz Festival.

This year, Clark students participated in two categories: big band and combo. Recognized from the 7500 festival participants representing seven states and West Germany, five Clark students received Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship awards. Outstanding musicianship awards for the big band category were presented to David Floratos on saxophone, James Powers on trombone, and Antonio Pickett on drums. Outstanding musicianship awards for combo went to the entire group: David Floratos on saxophone, James Powers on trombone, Jade Denny on bass, and Micah Richie on drums.

The largest event of its kind in the nation, the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival brings together internationally recognized artists, jazz lovers, award-winning clinicians, and more than 250 college, high school, and middle school big bands, combos, and jazz vocal groups. This year’s festival, its 44th, was held April 24 through 26.

In addition to performing for adjudication by internationally recognized jazz educators, Clark students also had the opportunity to listen to performances and clinics presented by world-renowned professional jazz artists including Wayne Shorter and renowned Jamey Aebersold, both of whom have been designated as Jazz Masters by the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as bassist and three-time Grammy winner Christian McBride.

Jenny Baird, right. Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Music major Dakota Luu said that the Colorado trip–his first–enhanced his education at Clark. “The recent jazz tour to Colorado has changed my musicality in ways that wouldn’t be possible just by staying local to Vancouver,” he said. “Being around the quality of musicians found during the festival and having the opportunity to hear great musicians like Wayne Shorter and Christian McBride is not quantifiable.”

Clark student Jenny Baird called the opportunity to attend an event of this magnitude a life-changing experience. “The Greeley Jazz Festival changed my outlook on jazz music,” she said. “Hearing famous musicians like Christian McBride, Wayne Shorter and the Jeff Hamilton Trio inspired me to become a better musician and pursue music as a major next fall. Being around fellow student jazz musicians and listening to them play makes me understand the beauty of jazz and the dedication it takes to perform it at the levels we heard.”

David Floratos. Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

Fields scholar David Floratos talked about the inspiration he drew from attending the festival. “I was overwhelmed by the amount of passion that was displayed by the artists who performed there, especially by the Wayne Shorter Quartet, who brought me to tears,” he said. “It has further motivated and inspired me to continue my pursuit of becoming a professional musician and composer.”

Congratulations to all the Clark students who participated and thanks to everyone at Clark who helped make this opportunity happen!

The Clark College Jazz Band will be performing at the College’s third annual Big Band Bash, held Saturday, June 7, at 7 p.m. in Gaiser Student Center. Admission is free and open to the public.

Nikolas Hoback as Melchior, center, in rehearsal for the winter musical, Spring Awakening.

Clark College Theatre is proud to present as its 2014 winter quarter musical production the award-winning exploration of repressed youth, Spring Awakening. The production is directed by Rusty Tennant and runs February 28 – March 15.

Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of Frank Wedekind’s 1891 expressionist play about the trials and tribulations–as well as the exhilaration–of the teen years. It features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Spring Awakening celebrates the unforgettable journey from youth to adulthood with  power, poignancy, and passion.

A stinging indictment of 19th-century repression, Wedekind’s original play was banned after its release. Even today and translated into musical form, Spring Awakening’s themes of sexuality, abuse, rape, incest, suicide, and abortion are still highly controversial and emotionally charged. “Clark College Theatre is taking a conscious path toward developing the student as a performing artist,” says Rusty Tennant, who is also the Artistic Director of Fuse Theatre Ensemble. “Our goal is to provide ample opportunity for students to participate in work that is relevant to the current trends and movements in the world of theatre. Spring Awakening is a critically acclaimed show based on a revolutionary play, with young adults composing the majority of the cast. In so many ways, this is the perfect play for us to present.”

Tennant adds that Spring Awakening isn’t just controversial: It is also a terrific musical filled with haunting melodies. “I find myself singing the songs all the time,” he says. “That is not just a testimony to this revolutionary score, but also to the amazing singers I have been able to bring together for this production. This cast is singing from the deepest corners of their souls, and that makes for some exciting theatre.”

Cast includes Nikolas Hoback (Melchior), Gina Fuerte-Stone (Moritz), and Petya Grozevna (Wendla). Production includes partial nudity, strong language, and adult themes.

Show Dates: February 28, March 1, 7, 8, 13, 14, and 15. March 8, there will be a 2:00 p.m. matinee. All show times are at 7:30 p.m.

Ticket Information: Students (with ID) $11; Alumni (with membership) $11; Senior Citizens $13; General Admission $15. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Clark College Bookstore in Gaiser Hall, online, or call 360-992-2815.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Gaiser Hall room 137, two weeks before the event.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley