Menu
Hope and Gratitude in Ten Scenes
Share the Show
Saint James Music Academy
- Large Ensemble
- Youth
Welcome to the world of SJMA and a glimpse of a year that has been unlike any other, with new adaptations, unexpected surprises, and emerging patterns. Music lessons were offered both on site and at home, and to our delight the result was something akin to a lovingly-crafted patchwork quilt: charming and beautiful. Most importantly, children continued to learn and to grow. “Hope and Gratitude in Ten Scenes” offers a selection of our students’ successes during this challenging time for us all.
Day of Music 2021
Saint James Music Academy
“HOPE AND GRATITUDE IN TEN SCENES”
1) PRESENTATION
How to Hold the Violin
Student: Derek
Teacher: KAEL VINCENT
2) SENIOR & INTERMEDIATE VIOLINS
Viva La Vida, Coldplay
Students: Moya, Runa, Elgiva, Christina, Heidi
Teacher: SABRINA PERRY (Violin)
3) JUNIOR CELLO GROUP
Hockey Song, S.T. Connors / Beaty
Students: Jett, Soren, Frank
Teacher: MARK BEATY (Cello)
4) SENIOR BASSOON
Gavotte for Two Bassoons, Joseph Budin de Boismortier
Student: Steven
Teacher: GWEN SEATON (Bassoon)
5) SENIOR MARIMBA GROUP
Rwizi, Zimbabwean Contemporary Song
Students: Faith, Aksel
Teacher: SANGITO BIGELOW (Guitar)
6) PRESENTATION
Sitting Position for Musicians
Student: Nelson
Teacher: KAEL VINCENT
7) PIANO
Prelude in C Minor, J.S. Bach
Student: Vincent
Teacher: NEGIN ATTAR
8) INTERMEDIATE VIOLIN CLASS
Sh! Sh!, H. Butterworth
Students: Liam, Jayren, Olivia, Arden
Teacher IRENE SENENT (Violin)
Accompanist: EVELYN HUNTER (Piano)
9) EXPLORING MUSIC
Lean on Me, Bill Withers
Student: Keith
Teacher / Music Therapist: KRISTEN SHIN, MTA (piano / voice)
10) SENIOR STRING ORCHESTRA
Palma de Coco, Joanne Martin / Aldara Velasco / Version provided by DaLaNota Programa Músicosocial, Spain
Students in alphabetical order: Aaliyah, Aksel, Alvin, Amy, Arden, Beckley (Jr Double Bass), Chief, Christina, Eden Belle, Elaine, Elena, Elgiva, Eric, Ezequiel, Francis, Heidi, Hieu, Ixchel, Kin, Megan, Micah, Michelle, Moya, Olivia, Olivie, Patrick, Quinn (Jr Double Bass), Rahmon, Teo, Thalia, Vincent, Victoria, Yoali, Yuzuh.
Teachers: José Cerón Ortega (Violin), Irene Senent (Violin) Pablo Duque (Viola), Maggie Hasspacher (Jr Double Bass), Mark Beaty (Cello), Noah Reitman (Sr Double Bass), Olivia Blander (Cello), Robin Reid (Percussion), Sarah Poon (Cello), Sophie Heppell (Violin)
Conductor: JOSÉ CERÓN ORTEGA, Music Director of Orchestras, Saint James Music Academy
REPERTOIRE / SONG LIST:
1. Presentation: “How to Hold the Violin”
2. “Viva La Vida”, Coldplay
3. “Hockey Song”, S.T. Connors / M. Beaty
4. “Gavotte for Two Bassoons”, Joseph Budin de Boismortier
5. “Rwizi”, Zimbabwean Contemporary Song
6. Presentation: “Sitting Position for Musicians”
7. “Prelude in C Minor”, J.S. Bach
8. “Sh! Sh!”, H. Butterworth
9. “Lean on Me”, Bill Withers
10. “Palma de Coco”, Joanne Martin / Aldara Velasco.
Version provided by DaLaNota Programa Músicosocial, Spain
Saint James Music Academy (SJMA) is a community-based after school program providing high quality classical music education to children living in and around Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Through our orchestras, choirs, music therapy programs, and so much more, students from grade 2 to grade 12 experience the joys and challenges of learning music together – and of playing an important part in something beautiful that is larger than themselves.
The story of SJMA began with one person determined to give children a better chance in life. When cuts to public school funding meant that Vancouver’s inner-city children had limited or no access to quality music education, long-time Downtown Eastside area resident Kathryn Walker decided to do something about it. She began a two-year process of building alliances and support in the community for a music academy that would not only teach music but use music as a means of reversing the negative social forces that neighbourhood children commonly face. SJMA opened its doors in September, 2007 with 45 enrollments and a budget of $37,000. Since then, the Academy has grown rapidly each year, touching the lives of many hundreds of children.
In the Spring of 2020, along with the rest of the world, SJMA was left reeling from our forced closure due to the CoVid 19 pandemic. With fortitude and cooperation, our teachers, parents, staff and supporters pulled together to keep our students connected to music, and bridging always towards a brighter future.
In the Fall of 2020, with a Covid plan in place, SJMA once again opened its doors for on-site classes, with a concurrent online stream. While SJMA is all about building the special kind of community that grows out of being together in person, our online lessons enhance our program and provide a safety net for uncertain times.
Today, SJMA continues to adventure forward with our caring and talented team of teachers and staff, under the leadership of incoming Executive Director Sarah Godoy. In spite of the challenges of the past year, our orchestra program is thriving under the teaching and vision of our Music Director of Orchestra José Cerón Ortega.
At its heart, SJMA remains the grassroots community organization of our founding fourteen years ago. Through the success of many people coming together: teachers and volunteers, parents and staff, and a wide network of donors and friends, the children continue to grow and learn, transforming our own hearts in the process.
Featured
Scroll across for more