Merry Christmas PCYO

Merry Christmas PCYO! Thanks for helping to make the 2009 Christmas Concert a memorable one, and don't forget to enjoy your holiday free time practicing your instrument!

Experts Agree - PCYO's Jazz Brothers are Adults Disguised as Kids

Police attempt to get a statement from PCYO Director Camille Barnes

"There's no other way to explain it," says Gina Ramsey, shaking her head, "Kids just don't sound like that." In fact, after PCYO's 2009 Christmas Concert was over, guests began circulating rumors that the music was rigged, and that grown-ups were only pretending to be kids during the PCYO Jazz Brothers segment to make PCYO appear superior to all other youth orchestras.

"That is ridiculous," argues Camille Barnes, PCYO's director. "Of course PCYO's Jazz Brothers are children. This is what people actually sound like when they practice!"

People remain skeptical, including L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "I cannot confirm nor deny the rumors. I was not at the show, but we will launch a full-blown investigation to ensure that PCYO remains an honest and credible service to the citizens of California."

Is Camille Barnes lying to protect PCYO's integrity, or are the PCYO Jazz Brothers truly an extremely talented group that practices regularly?

PCYO Assistant Director Robert Regan could not be reached for comment.

Greensleeves - More Than Just "The Christmas Concert Song"

...A little birdie told me that some PCYO students aren't practicing enough. I'm scared!

The holiday concert is one of my very favorite things about Christmas. I love it when students take the stage to show off their hard work. I love how proud the parents sit in the audience. I even love the mistakes, because holiday music is the happiest music in the world.

I'm especially excited this year because you're playing Greensleeves!
Did you know...

Greensleeves is one of the songs in A Charlie Brown Christmas!

Greensleeves is a funny song from Ireland about a girl with grass stains on her shirt.

It has the same Christmas hymn of What Child is This?

Variations of the song Greensleeves was used in the movie, How the West Was Won. Since they changed the song a bit, they titled it Home in the Meadow.

This song used to be a ringer on my old cell phone. Greensleeves played only when Mr. Robert called!

Greensleeves has played on The Simpsons, Lassie and The Office!

Greensleeves has been covered by Elvis Presley, rock band Jethro Tull, Olivia Newton-John, Leonard Cohen and James Taylor.

Vince Guaraldi made my favorite version from A Charlie Brown Christmas. Listen to it right HERE.

Love & music,
Fayeruz

No Bad Luck This Friday the 13th!

"I won't play with sharp objects if you don't play sharp notes."
- Jason

Who says Friday the 13th is riddled with bad luck?

I will use this lovely Friday the 13th to announce that there will be some DELICIOUS prizes handed out at PCYO practice this Saturday!

Make sure to keep practicing and pay attention in class, because the instructors only have 10 delicious prizes. They will be awarded to those who sound like they've been improving and can answer questions in class.

Good luck, and if a black cat crosses your path, pet it until it purrs!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

10 Things You Didn't Know About...... Johann Sebastian Bach

1. He had 20 kids! (...and you think your family fights over bathroom time?)

2. The huge HUGE HUGE Bach family produced over 50 notable musicians throughout the years.

3. He was once thrown in jail for a month! (Not too exciting - some naughty Duke wanted to stop him from accepting a better job, so he threw Bach behind bars.)

4. In the last year of his life, he went blind. Bach even tried getting an operation by the same doctor who operated on Handel's eyes, but the surgery was unsuccessful. It was an unsuccessful surgery for Handel too. What's up, Doc?

5. At Bach's older brother's wedding, he met Johann Pachelbel, composer of the infamous Pachelbel Canon in D.

6. Bach married his cousin! Her name was Maria Barbara Bach, and she was his second cousin.

7. Bach was married twice. When his first wife died, he married Anna Magdalena Wilcke (the daughter of the town trumpeter).

8. Bach's music is very popular for weddings around the world.

9. His favorite restaurant was Taco Bell.

10. Fact #9 is a lie. (...but if he were alive now, it's highly possible!)

Welcome Gustavo Dudamel!

You have seen his wacky hair on television and splashed across the pages of newspapers and magazines. His name is on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Who is he? Gustavo Dudamel!

What's the buzz? He came to Los Angeles!

Does this have anything to do with PCYO? Uh huh!

This classical music legend is now the head conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and you can see him live. But it's his YOUTH ORCHESTRA that's made him who he is.

Just like you, he was smart and started his music education early. He liked violin and composition. Then, In 1999, he was appointed music director of the Orquestra Sinfonica Simon Bolivar, the national youth orchestra of Venezuela.

That's right, Venezuela rules because they have a national youth orchestra. Don't you wish Obama would set that kind of system in place? Start writing letters!

Gustavo Dudamel worked closely with his youth orchestra and tuned them into such astounding performers, they toured all around the world! Don't you wish you could do that? Skipping your home-cooked brussels sprouts for pizza...in Italy! For sushi...in Japan! For...well, you get the idea.

Gustavo Dudamel and his youth orchestra are a shining example of what we can be one day, if we keep practicing and remember to love what we do. Check out their unbelievable performance right HERE.

Welcome to Los Angeles Gustavo Dudamel!

Fall Season Starts this Saturday, September 19th!

Welcome back PCYO!

Saturday is almost here, and we're thrilled to have you back for a fresh new start this Autumn!

Some important reminders:

~ Rehearsal is now from 10 AM - 2 PM

~ We don't rehearse every Saturday, so check the "Calendar" page on the PCYO site by clicking HERE. We won't be making courtesy calls to remind you, but the schedule will always be posted online.

~ Economic relief! The cost of tuition will remain the same as last year! Now PCYO will charge on a per-season basis. This means $25 for the Fall season, (September - December) then again for the winter season, (January - May). It's only $10 for any additional family members.

~ If we loan you an instrument, we'll need a small deposit based on the percentage of the instrument's value. The deposit is 100% refundable.

~ Student and parent contracts will be handed out at the first rehearsal. Make sure to read before you sign!

~ Making music can sure build an appetite! PCYO will be supplying lunch at the first rehearsal, and there will be a sign-up sheet for parents at the front table. It's important to pitch in and feed our budding rock stars!

~ Mark your calendars! December 12th is the day of the final holiday concert. You'll be great. Break a leg. Heck, break both of them.

Love & music,
Fayeruz

Exclusive Interview with New Student Director...Sonja Einem!

Happy Fall season PCYO!

Our newly-crowned student leader is Miss Sonja Einem and I had a chance to interview her. Check it out below!

Hi Sonja! What's the first thing that went through your mind when you were asked to be Student Director for PCYO?

I thought 'This will look good on college applications.' Then I wondered if we could play something Baroque.

Ambitious! Sonja, you're a pretty quiet person. Would you be able to speak up if any of those PCYO brats start picking their noses?

You know, it's their own decision whether or not they want to pick their noses. But I guess it's my duty to tell them it's gross.

Speaking of picking noses, what is your most embarrassing moment?

Oh that would be me recently being lifted and flipped upside down...in a skirt.

Hey, consider yourself lucky that someone can lift and flip you! Back to PCYO, what do you think is your biggest challenge as Student Director for PCYO ?

What's more important than a lot of other things, is getting the children to be interested in the music.

Aside from the 2009 PCYO Band Camp, name three other cool things you did this summer.

I visited my grandmother in the Redwoods, went to our annual church camp and...Disneyland!

Stupendous! What music are you listening to right now?

I'm listening to my sister practicing piano. I have no idea what she's playing.

No, I meant what bands and musicians are you currently enjoying? Never mind, just tell me this: WHERE IN THE WORLD DOES CAMILLE GET ALL THAT ENERGY?

(silence) No comment.

There you have it, folks: the talented Miss Sonja Einem. And don't let her catch you picking your nose!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

PCYO Star on TV!

Hellooooooooo PCYO,

Hopefully you're enjoying the last few weeks of summer. I mentioned earlier in the season that one of our very own rock stars would be on TV. Justus Bradshaw sang back-up for pop star John Mayer on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien! To celebrate Conan O'Brien's move from New York to Los Angeles to take Jay Leno's place on the iconic program, John Mayer sang California Dreamin' - and so did Justus!

Not only did the LA Times write about the Los Angeles Children's Choir performance, but I have a video of the big night, so check him out. He's in the back row on the right, and looking sharp!

Just click HERE. Enjoy!

Love & music,
Fayeruz

What's All This Monkey Business?

I thought I was going to the concert on Friday to take some nice pictures. Just look at this madness! If you want to see all of the lovely photos taken, just scroll to the bottom of this email and click on the link.

To see the rest of the photos from the PCYO 2009 Summer Camp concert, (and the wacky sleepover) click HERE. You band campers blew everyone away with your hard work and skill. And never forget, character counts!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

Congratulations PCYO Band Campers!

Bravo! This was the best show to date. A round of applause for a job well done!



And let us not forget our dedicated director, Camille Barnes...



Expecting some pictures? Oh just you wait...

Love & music,
Fayeruz

Band Camp in Full Swing!

Eat your heart out slackers! While you sit at home watching the 58th rerun of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, your friends at PCYO Band Camp are working on a masterpiece, and it will be performed for friends and family this Friday the 14th at 4 pm. Don't miss it - unlike reruns, this is live entertainment!

PCYO band campers are not only blossoming as musicians, they are getting the star treatment. A real-life mariachi band will be performing for them, they get to play music trivia Jeopardy and they get to dine on scrumptious treats created by Glendale chef Safoa Abboa, from Safoa's Fare.

PCYO's rock stars also have a chance to score free Teriyaki Six Dollar Burgers from Carl's Jr., origami art paper airplanes, (ever heard of an instructor GIVING kids paper airplanes??) and much, much more!

Hope to see you at the concert this Friday!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

We're Baaaaach.....

That's right - band camp is coming! Put down the remote control and video games and do something you can brag about! You want to have an edge on your classmates in the fall. You know, the ones that spent the summer eating Hot Cheetos and watching bad reruns of Hannah Montana. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ......

We're here to keep you sharp - so prepare for a week of fun, food and music!

Band camp is August 10th - 14th 2009, and you can register on the PCYO official website.

See you there!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

To All the Unmentioned Rock Stars...

To all the little Rock Stars who never made it into a Rock Star of the Week posting in 2009, you have not been forgotten! The season isn't over until you get a shout out...

Orchid Daoudian
Age: 12
Main Instrument: violin
Favorite Song: Disturbia
Favorite Musician: Kanye West
Song She Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: Disturbia

Berenice Melgoza
Age: 9
Main Instrument: Piano
Favorite Song: Jingle Bells
Favorite Musician: John W. Schaum
Song She Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: The Wood-Chuck


Oscar Samuel Romero
Age: 11
Main Instrument: Guitar
Favorite Song: Stairway to Heaven
Favorite Musician: Bon Jovi (Hey, I went to their concert in the 80's!)
Song He Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: Stairway to Heaven


Celina Einem
Age: 9
Main Instrument: Violin
Favorite Song: Viva La Vida
Favorite Musician: Coldplay & Beck
Song She Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: Clocks


Isaac (He didn't give me a last name!)
Age: 8
Main Instrument: Trumpet
Favorite Song: Star Wars


Victoria Romero
Age: 12
Main Instrument: Violin
Favorite Song: Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Cool choice!)


Erika Hernandez
Age: 12
Main Instrument: Recorder, then...flute!
Favorite Song: What I've Done
Song She Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: Let it Be (Me too, sister!)


Josiah Ramirez
Age: 8
Main Instrument: violin
Favorite Song: Rosas & Grease Lightning
Favorite Musician: Beethoven (Nice!)
Song He Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: Holiday


Pepe Bradshaw
Age: 10
Main Instrument: violin
Favorite Song: Welcome to the Jungle
Favorite Musician: ACDC
Song He Wishes PCYO Would Play Together: Ode to Joy



PCYO wouldn't be the same without you bright, hard-working musicians!

PCYO 2009 Spring Concert Pictures!

Congratulations on yet another successful season, PCYO! The Spring 2009 concert was the cherry on top of another memorable season. I could tell who had been practicing hard, and I loved the show!

I am full of good news...

For all you rock stars that never made it into a Rock Star of the Week post, I have a special edition Rock Star of the Week posting coming out next week, and it will honor all those who were not yet mentioned. Keep your eyes peeled! But don't peel them like a banana. That's gross.

One of our very own little rock stars is GOING TO BE ON T.V.!! Jay Leno just did his last Tonight Show, and Conan O'Brian will be taking his place. Conan's first week will be a star-studded celebration of the all-new Tonight Show, and this Thursday night, our very own Justus Bradshaw will be singing. Make sure you tune in! It may be airing past your bedtime, so get someone to record or Tevo it!

Last but certainly not least, I have photos from the fantabulous (...is that a word?) concert yesterday. To see PCYO's shiny new Flickr account and photo album, click HERE!

Love & Music, Fayeruz

Rock Star of the Week

Bongiorno PCYO!!

That greeting was your Italian lesson for the day!

A little birdie told me that the picnic this weekend was a blast - not to mention the free concert afterwards. What better way to spend a Saturday than good food, good music and the great outdoors? You're lucky I wasn't there. You would have all been clobbered with water balloons!

Before I announce the Rock Star of the Week, we were thinking about adding a new addition to PCYO. Here's his audition tape. What do you think? CHECK IT OUT!!

Drum roll, please...

The Rock Star of the Week is...Eva Child!

This 10 year-old violinist with the beautiful eyes loves music and bowling! Her favorite song is Once Upon a Time. I was going to post a link, but there are so many songs titled Once Upon a Time, I didn't want to chance it! Oh how I wish the lovely Miss Child told us which five people she'd invite to dinner, but she chose to remain a mystery.

One thing that won't remain a mystery is whether or not the concert coming up will go well. The answer is yes - of course! We've got two good weeks of practicing to go, not to mention PCYO rehearsal the next two Saturdays. Can't wait to see you on the big day!

Love and music,

Fayeruz

Rock Star of the Week

Holla PCYO!

Drumroll please...

The Rock Star of the Week is...Anthony Thompson!

This cool saxophone player is only 13 years old, but he's got the pipes to make a strong presence with his instrument. He may sound like Coltrane, but his musical preference is very different. His favorite band is Metallica! Here is the band playing Anthony's favorite song, One. When asked why he likes Metallica, his answer is simple, "They are cool."

Anthony's family must be amazing, because if he could have dinner with any five people, alive or dead, it would be his very own family. On the list is his parents, grandparents and a cousin. Either his family can cook, or Anthony is destined to be a real family man. Let's hope it's both!

Love and Music,

Fayeruz

Three Reasons You Can't Miss this Saturday!

Greetings, PCYO!

Allow me to rattle off the reasons why you just can't miss this Saturday:

Reason 1: BOWLING

That's right, you little musical geniuses! After practice, we are headed to a nearby bowling alley to score some strikes and have some fun. Come on, all the cool kids are doing it...

Reason 2: CARL'S JR. PRIZES

No burgers and fries, but your instructors will come equipped with all kinds of tee-shirts, courtesy of Carl's Jr. Zero calories! These collector's items come in all shapes and sizes, but you won't get one unless you can answer questions during the lesson. Pay attention!

Reason 3: THE MAY CONCERT IS CREEPING UP

Now, when I use the word "creeping" I'm not trying to scare you. Though it would be creepy if you skipped practice, didn't practice at home and then did the show. Nightmare on Washington Street! There's no better place to be on Saturday than with your PCYO friends making the upcoming show the best it can be. Make your folks proud!

Love and Music and Bowling and Prizes,

Fayeruz

Holy Youth Orchestra!

PCYO, are you sitting down?

Check out Gustavo Dudamel's Youth Orchestra. You will be blown away by the creative genius! Hmmm...think PCYO could hit such great heights? Remember, practice makes perfect. And what better time to hone your skills than for the PCYO concert in May? That's right, next month, all you little rock stars will play your hearts out for an adoring audience.

Speaking of rock stars...

Drum roll, please...

Our Rock Star of the Week is...Raymond Luna!

This big-shot student instructor is a Godsend for PCYO, mentoring the up-and comers. His musical taste is refined. Raymond loves the old school class of The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and if PCYO could play just one song together, it would be their classic, In the Mood. Raymond, I hope to see this too! But Mr. Luna isn't all tuxedos and swing dancing, he's a little bit "jeans and t-shirt" as well. His favorite song is Everlong by the Foo Fighters, explaining, "I like their style and composition."

If this 14 year-old trumpet-player could invite any five people to dinner, he would invite President Barack Obama and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Hmm...looks like a couple of orchestra players are going to have to hit El Pollo Loco instead, that's a big band!

Reminder: there will be a parent meeting next week following rehearsal on April 11th at 2:00 pm. The PCYO instructors would love the parents to attend so they can discuss development, student practice, and score some parental feedback. They hope to see everyone there!

Love & Music,
Fayeruz

Rock Star of the Week

Spring is on its way, PCYO! Spring is a time of new beginnings. If you've been practicing your instrument diligently, make a fresh start by playing in front of others. It gets the jitters out! For those of you who haven't been practicing, put down the Hot Cheetos and remote control and make some beautiful music.

Drum roll, please...

The Rock Star of the Week is...Larysa Bulbenko!

Some know her as the talented violinist, others remember the knock-out photos her talented father took at the Christmas concert. Creativity runs in the family! Larysa is 11 years-old and loves a good dose of Vivaldi. She think it's fun to play his music.

Her all-time favorite song is the legendary rock ballad Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zeppelin. The beautiful and haunting melody can be heard here. Speaking of classic rock, if she could invite any five people to dinner, she'd invite The Beatles. She had better make sure to lock her doors, so the mobs of screaming girls don't break in.

Hmm...so that's Ringo, George, Paul and Jon. ...Wait! There's one space left at the dinner party. I think I'll invite myself. I'd like crab legs and a banana split, please. Not together!

Love and Music,

Fayeruz

Hey, Where'd Everyone Go?

Yoohoo PCYO,

A little birdie told me only seven people showed up this Saturday. Seven?! Say it ain't so!

When we did our usual round of reminder phone calls a couple of weeks ago, we said that we would not be calling to remind you anymore. You guys were getting the hang of it, and it saved us time. So...what happened?

Bewildered,

Fayeruz

Happy Valentine's Day, PCYO!

Hola, PCYO!

Hope you're feeling the love this Valentine's Day. PCYO is sure feeling the love from The Pacific Southwest Covenant Church, who just wrote an article about us. Check it out! This is only the beginning - so start practicing signing your autograph! Wait - I take that back. Just practice your instrument for now. Practice like Cupid shot you with the love of music!

Until we see ya next Saturday...

Love & Music,

Fayeruz

PCYO

Rock Star of the Week - Family Edition!

Hey, hey, hey PCYO!

It may seem like the rain won't stop, but let's look at the bright side. Los Angeles is taking a much-needed shower, everything is green and growing and YOU have plenty of time to stay cozy indoors practicing your instrument!

I have plenty of time to catch up on our Rock Star of the Week feature. So much time, that I am doing a double-edition, family style.

Drum roll, please...

The Rock Stars of the Week are...Bailey & Mackenzie Equite!

The talented duo are close in age, (Bailey is 11 and Mackenzie is 10) but they're light years apart in taste. Let's take Bailey for instance. He's got classic taste, a real gentleman in the making. His favorite musician is Duke Ellington and claims this jazz / swing legend is what inspired him to play music. Much like Ellington's music, Bailey prefers to play the piano and trumpet. He has such a strong sense of past, that if PCYO perform one song together, he would want it to be The Star Spangled Banner.

Mackenzie on the other hand has a taste for the fun, pop-infused stylings of Miley Cyrus, her very favorite musician. Mackenzie rocks the flute, and if PCYO could perform one song together, it would be Where You Belong. Mackenzie's favorite song is the inspirational tune, Something Far Greater.

But it looks like these siblings won't be invited to one another's ultimate dinner party! We asked each of them to name the top five people they would invite to dinner, and here are the results:

Bailey's guest list: Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Justin Timberlake and Abe Lincoln

Looks like Bailey has a strong sense of family! He'd invite his parents even if he does eat with them every night. Question: Could Honest Abe convince JT to rock a vintage colonial beard?

Mackenzie's guest list: Harriet Tubman, George Washington, Duke Ellington, Justin Timberlake and Miley Cyrus

Wow, Mackenzie's a fan of Mr. Ellington too? Must be a family thing! I smell a musical collaboration. How would it sound if JT, Miley and Duke Ellington decided to make a song together? Perhaps our first president (Mr. Washington) and Ms. Tubman (historic abolitionist and forerunner of The Underground Railroad) could engage these rockers in a heated political debate. Wish I could be a fly on the wall for that one!

Until next time, remember all things good about the rain and keep practicing!

Love and Music,

Fayeruz

PCYO

Happy New Year, PCYO!

Happy 2009, PCYO!

Maybe you got Guitar Hero for Christmas. Perhaps you're a fan of Rock Band. Either way, there's nothing better than playing real music, and we can't wait to hit the ground running! In a year of fresh new starts, let's all get hyped about mastering our instruments, and playing something to be proud of. We'll be dedicated to making you the best you can be in 2009 and beyond.

And without further ado, drum roll, please....

Joshua Ramirez is the Rock Star of the Week!

This 11 year-old trumpet blaster loves to listen to Dragonforce. His favorite song is Viva La Vida by the very talented Coldplay. Alas, Dragonforce and Coldplay didn't get an invite to his exclusive dinner party. If Mr. Ramirez could invite any five people, they would be Juan Esteban, Obama, Bach, Gabriel Iglesias (AKA Pikachu) and George Lopez. What a crazy mix! What would they talk about? Would George Lopez teach Bach how to make tacos? Will Pikachu teach Obama how to make hilarious speeches?

See Joshua's favorite song, Viva La Vida, here!

Last but not least, out next rehearsal is on Saturday, January 17th. We can't wait to see you.

Happy New Year,
Fayeruz