Make more room on the trophy shelf, Acorns, because Live Oak
High’s long-standing tradition of excellence continues with major
recognition for the recent production of Fiddler on the Roof. The
recognition by American Musical Theatre’s High School Music Theater
HONORS Awards identifies the best in local high school musical
productions.
Make more room on the trophy shelf, Acorns, because Live Oak High’s long-standing tradition of excellence continues with major recognition for the recent production of Fiddler on the Roof.
The recognition by American Musical Theatre’s High School Music Theater HONORS Awards identifies the best in local high school musical productions.
Live Oak students won in two categories: Best Student Orchestra – for “Fiddler on the Roof,” conducted by Greg Bergantz (Live Oak tied with Archbishop Mitty High School, for “Into The Woods,” conducted by Lauren Bevilacqua of Gilroy); and Best Student Lighting Design – Tommy Jernigan, Live Oak High School, also for Fiddler.
The categories were two of 10 total awards categories. Live Oak was one of 25 Bay Area high schools that participated.
According to Mary Carson, publicity director for the Live Oak Emerald Regime Band Boosters, judges from AMT visited each of the 25 schools to watch performances. Winners were chosen based on the quality of each production, and what that school was able to accomplish within its budget and available resources.
Emerald Regime members are no strangers to competition, proven by their band room full of trophies, and also are used to exploring new experiences.
This spring, the Emerald Regime took a “Journey of a Lifetime,” one of many travels overseas the band has taken over the years. Asia was the destination this year, with students visiting Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore from March 24 to April 2.
“It was an experience,” said junior Gina Almerido, who plays the trombone. “We had sort of an exchange program, where we played at a boys’ school, and they played for us. They had signs welcoming us; I think it was exciting for them, too. We exchanged gifts and listened to each other’s performances.”
Senior Devin McCutchen, field drum major, said one of the things that stuck out in his mind about the trip was contrast.
“When we were in Bangkok, it was probably most obvious; there was a real adjustment issue coming from Singapore, which is much more westernized,” he said. “We drove out of the city, like 20 miles outside, and all traces of western culture disappeared.
“In Thailand, the contrasts were even more marked, with very rural riverlands, lots of bamboo, then clusters of buildings and houses with no space wasted, you were looking right into people’s bedrooms. You would have beautiful temples right next to dilapidated shacks.”
The contrasts, the people, the opportunity to spend time in an exotic location with their fellow band members, all made the trip truly a journey of a lifetime,” Gina and Devin, said.
More information and photos of the awards ceremony, held at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, are available on the AMT’s website. http://www.amtsj.org/inthecomm/int hecomm_educat.html#honors
