Welcome Back PCYO!

Well, well, well. Look who's back! The same gaggle of Rock Stars, and then some. Speaking of the "and then somes"...

Tell one, tell all, we are still enrolling new PCYO students for this season until February 6th.

That's right, tell your friends, tell your cousins, but PLEASE don't tell the Cafeteria Lady. We are taking new PCYO Rock Stars until February 6th!

Thank you Juana!

A Poem for Juana

You fetch us food

You teach our classes

A patient saint

Sweet as molasses

You donate precious

Saturdays

To fixing problems

in every way

A million thanks

For being there

We promise to practice

To show we care!

Note to students: Pay very close attention to the last stanza and remember your promise!

See you on January 16th - the first Saturday of the all-new 2010 season!

Happy New Year PCYO!

Happy New Year PCYO! For all you music lovers, there are bands bringing in the New Year in Times Square, jazz clubs, big galas and Hollywood parties. These classy folks bring cheer to partygoers all around the world. One day you could be dressed in a sharp suit or dress, spreading cheer with your heart-stopping sounds!

We look forward to a fresh new start in 2010, and we can't wait to see you on January 16th, the first Saturday of the new season. See you there!

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