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