DHS-Holmes Orchestra Boosters
Summer 2024 Newsletter
The end of the 2023-24 school year was full of incredible music and community building. We could not provide these unique musical experiences without the generous support of our donors and volunteers. Thank you!
Read on for a message from our outgoing Board President, a farewell to our graduating seniors, and a summary of Orchestra Program events from the last few months.
Have a wonderful Summer. Highlights from our upcoming NYC tour will be shared in our Fall newsletter!
A Farewell from Board President Tracy Louie
Wow, June 2024 is here already! This means my youngest of three sons will be graduating from DHS later this week. This also means my time on the DHS-Holmes Orchestra Boosters Board will be coming to an end. It sure has been a fast ride to get where I am today. I remember when my son was in the 7th grade Holmes Intermediate Orchestra and we met in person for Mr. Moreno’s Back-to-School Night. He needed volunteers for various activities, so I signed up to organize the 7th grade Orchestra San Francisco field trip to Exploratorium and Davies Symphony Hall. I knew nothing of organizing an event, but I would ask Mr. Moreno this or that and we had the trip organized just like that! And all the kids (and hopefully chaperones) had fun! Little did I know that I would eventually become the President of the Orchestra Boosters. Fast forward, I joined the Board in early 2020 as the Secretary of the group, COVID hit, schools went online (which meant orchestra went online), kids returned back to school, things started opening up, orchestra returned, DHS Disneyland trip was going to happen, DHS Baroque European Tour went off without any major hitches, countless fundraisers, and finally the DHS Symphony New York Tour is just around the corner. I had my hand involved in raising almost $80,000 to support 3 tours! How did organizing a 7th grade SF trip turn into organizing 3 orchestra tours? It just happened. When I saw a need for volunteers, I stepped up because that’s how I was brought up to do it. So, I encourage any current orchestra parents to step up like I did, even if it’s to organize a smaller event. Any help you can give to the current Board Members would be greatly appreciated.
I want to thank the other outgoing Board Members: Stephanie Manansala who stepped up to help with Treasurer duties and Sayeh Homayounpour for her organization of the Wennberg receptions in the past years. Thank you, thank you!
To the current Board Members: Kate Rich, Maggie Gonzalez, and Aparna Krishnan; you all have been a pleasure to work with. Continue doing what you do and the Boosters will be awesome! Thanks to all of you! And I want to thank Maggie Gonzalez who will be stepping up to take on the President position of the DHS-Holmes Orchestra Boosters. Thanks Maggie!
And lastly, a HUGE THANK YOU to Mr. Moreno! He is certainly a very hard worker and works diligently to make his programs the best possible for the students. I know many teachers have to put in extra hours after work, but Mr. Moreno puts hundreds of hours after school time to help make his orchestras the best they possibly can be and offers his students many opportunities that most school orchestras cannot. Isn’t that what we want in the Davis schools? Keep up the great work, Mr. Moreno! After working with him all these years, I have realized he is like the Energizer Bunny who keeps going and going and going! Keep advocating for yourself, your programs, and most of all, your students!
This is Tracy Louie, signing off for the last time. All the best to the families continuing with all levels of the orchestra – keep the music playing! All the best! (with a mic drop)
A Farewell to our Orchestra Program Seniors!
Director's Note to the Senior Class of 2024
It seems like yesterday, six years ago when you first entered your junior high music room, unsure of yourself, scared about a new phase, and excited about the possibilities. Each one of you, so unique and special and full of potential, all trying to fit in and find the many things that helped to define you. It was then that you found a musical home, a place each day that you could surround yourself with friends, let go of the stresses of academics, and express yourself through music. A place where you were challenged to improve yourself and embrace the group experience. A place where musical excellence and commitment to the team was the expectation. It was at this time that I challenged you to “Get it together!” and develop a thicker skin. Through constant criticism and discipline you were able to meet and celebrate your musical goals, which you accomplished over and over again, building confidence and a great appreciation for the arts.
With your commitment and service to the Orchestra Program you have helped to shape and define it for future generations. I hope that you look back fondly on your time as a member of this wonderful orchestra program and that music remains a special part of your life regardless of whether you are a performer or music appreciator and supporter. It has been a joy to share so many memorable musical moments and daily life experiences with you over the years. As you head off to the next great adventure of your lives, take with you the many life lessons learned in your orchestra experience and lean on them in challenging times. With the focus, determination, discipline, team work, accountability, creativity, and passion for success you have gained you can achieve anything you set your path on. I wish the best for all of you and the most successful futures. You are now an honorable and valued alumni member of the Davis Senior High School Orchestra Program...Congratulations and Bravo!
Proudly Yours,
Mr. Moreno
Chamber Orchestra: Goudeau, Isabella; Henderson, Griffin; Jaffe, Chloe N; McDonald, Angela; Osterloh, Tobias; Quinones Jaimes, Leslie; Wright, Jefferson; Abdusalam, Rena
Symphony Orchestra: Anibaba, Jasmine; Armien Funk, Uma; Bruening, Noah; Chang, Ellie; Crabtree, Kolt; Desai, Lauryn; Elms, Jenna; Elson, Devan; Kurita, Yuki; Lee, Colin; Manansala, India; Manansala, Reese; Morgan, Katharine; Neaverth, John; Oerding, Jacqueline; Son, Sarah; Wang, Michael; Wong, Kevin
Baroque Ensemble: Anibaba, Jasmine; Baptiste, Sierra; Carlisle, Caleigh; Morgan, Katharine; Post-Leon, Sequoia; Rentner, Juliet; Rokop, Madeleine; Weller, John; Whang, Audrey
Recent Orchestra Events
Thank you to our donors and volunteers for making making these opportunities possible for our Holmes and DHS students. Check out links for more details and photos of each event!
Bridging Medicine and Music with Mark Wood: March 22
Wennberg Orchestra Festival: April 14
CEMA Golden Empire Music Festival: April 20
The Holmes Intermediate and Holmes Advanced Orchestras participated in the CMEA Golden Empire Music Festival, this year held at Davis High. Both orchestras were award “Superior” Ratings on their performances! View more photos of this event HERE.
Music in the Parks in Santa Cruz: May 4
The Holmes Advanced Orchestra participated in the Music in the Parks at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Students performed and then enjoyed a fun (though rainy!) afternoon at the boardwalk. The Holmes Advanced Orchestra was awarded “Best Junior High Orchestra” and “Best Overall Orchestra!” View more photos HERE.
Hands-On Strings Workshop: May 17
Holmes 9th grader Kate Napolitan organized a hands-on strings workshop for 3rd grade students at Birch Lane Elementary. The group of Holmes student-instructors spent the day sharing their instruments and encouraging participation in the DJUSD music program. Out of 76 3rd grade participants, 50 indicated that they wanted to join the Birch Lane Strings Program in 4th grade! Student participants and photos HERE.
Michael Sand and the DHS Baroque Ensemble: May 18
Special Thank You to Our Guest Artist- Baroque Violinist Michael Sand from Director Angelo Moreno
I want to thank Maestro Michael Sand for being my Baroque Musical Mentor for the past 30 years and for his dedication and passion for sharing his wealth of knowledge for the Baroque period and its intricate and highly styled performance practices. I have had the privilege of being Michael’s violin student throughout my college years at UCD and having him as my Baroque Ensemble Director. Michael’s musical influence in my life led to the inspiration and development of the DHS Baroque Ensemble, the first orchestra of its kind at a public school in the U.S. Observing Michael perform and direct during my most professional developmental years at UCD motivated and inspired me to further develop my own violin skills and understanding of Baroque music. Michael introduced me to my first Baroque violin and bow and taught me everything I know about the art of bowing. It is an honor for me to share this concert with Michael each year and for him to spend a week sharing his joy for the art of Baroque music with my students. As it is with all art forms, Baroque performance practices have been and continue to be passed directly from master to student, and so the cycle of information continues to the next generation and continues to move into the future and remain relevant. I am forever indebted to Michael for his contribution and commitment to a life-time of passing forward the beauty of Baroque music to the next generation of musicians.
For a copy of the concert program and YouTube performance link, click HERE.
Holmes Finale Concert: May 21
The Holmes Finale Concert, on May 21, featured performances by the Intermediate and Advanced quartets, the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, and a Concerto for the Double Bass featuring 9th grade soloist Dante Baldini. Congrats to our graduating 9th graders! View the concert program and YouTube link HERE.
DHS Finale Concert: May 23
The DHS Finale Concert celebrated graduating seniors and included performances by the DHS Symphony Piano Quintet, the DHS Senior Piano Quintet, the Baroque Ensemble, the Chamber Orchestra, and the Symphony Orchestra. Seniors were recognized with a senior slideshow and presentation of graduation cords. Congrats seniors, and all DHS students, for an incredible end to a great year of music. For concert program and YouTube links, click HERE.
Holmes Music Department Picnic: May 29
This community-building social event celebrated the end of the year and welcomed our new Holmes Music Department students to campus for a special showcase performance by our Holmes Orchestra, Band, Jazz Band, and Choir students. See HERE for more photos.
This event was supported by the newly-formed Holmes Choir and Band Boosters!
DHS Symphony Orchestra: New York Tour
The New York Tour 2024 is just around the corner. The DHS Symphony Orchestra students will be heading out to New York on a red eye flight later in June for 5 days and 4 nights in the Big Apple! They are set to see Lincoln Center, Central Park, Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, Top of the Rock, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Wicked on Broadway, and more! But the highlight of this tour is getting to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 7:30pm. If you’re in the area or will be visiting New York at that time, please stop in to watch the concert!
Safe travels to the students and chaperones for this tour!
-Tracy Louie, NY Trip Coodinator
Congrats to Angelo Moreno & DJUSD!
Angelo Moreno Awarded Hero of Arts Education from Friends of Sacramento Arts
On March 14, Mr. Moreno was honored with other Sacramento educators at the 2024 Heroes of Arts Education Gala for his impactful work in arts education. Congrats, Mr. Moreno! Watch his award video HERE and read what he has to say about this incredible honor below:
"This is my 23rd year teaching the orchestra programs at Holmes Junior High and Davis Senior High School in Davis. I love teaching in the arts because I am passionate about orchestral music and classical strings pedagogy. I am a lifelong student of music and a strings specialist and thoroughly enjoy most, the human interactions and amazing life experiences that are enhanced through music making.
I believe music teaches much more than just the artistic delivery of the notes on the page, it teaches the many life skills that help to make a student a more productive member of society.
I live my professional life based on two overriding principles my father taught me growing up:
- 'Our talents are from God and not from man.' In my work where accolades and applause are routine this line of thinking keeps me humble and focused on doing my best for my students and not for my own glory.
- 'For those that much are given, much is required.' This has helped me appreciate and foster my musical talents and not squander them. I strongly believe that teaching music is my calling, and I find honor in doing my work to the best of my ability and effort daily.
Thank you to 'Friends of Sacramento Arts' for this wonderful opportunity and recognition."
(Photo: Angelo Moreno, DJUSD VAPA Coordinator Amy Martinez, Holmes Art teacher and fellow award recipient Sarah Hohmann)
DJUSD Named a "Best Community for Music Education"
For the fourth time time, DJUSD has been named a Best Community for Music Education Award by the NAMM Foundation. Districts receive this award for their commitment and support of music education. Read a Davis Enterprise article about the award HERE. Congrats to all our music educators, and thank you to the Davis community for supporting the arts!
Ways to Support the DHS-Holmes Orchestra Boosters
Sponsorships are available for the following events (please email Boosters to indicate interest in sponsorship opportunities and partnerships):
2025 DHS Symphony Outreach Concerts: Free performances for over 1000 local elementary students!
2025 Wennberg Orchestra Festival: Beautiful day of DJUSD orchestral talent at the Mondavi Center
2025 Orchestra Disneyland Trip: DHS Symphony trip to perform at Disneyland
Ways to Stay Connected
In addition to attending our concerts and events, we invite you to:
- follow us on Facebook (@Davis Senior High Orchestras),
- check out our Orchestras Alumni webpage,
- subscribe to our Youtube Channel (@Davis High School Orchestras),
- invite friends and family to subscribe to this newsletter using the Subscribe button below, and
- send us an email to let us know how you've been!
Please consider supporting the Boosters with your time, resources, and talents. Donations are truly appreciated. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit (tax ID: 82-5177533.)
President: Tracy Louie
Treasurer DHS: Stephanie Manansala
Treasurer Holmes: Aparna Krishnan
Secretary: Kate Rich
Member-at-Large: Sayeh Homayounpour
Member-at-Large: Maggie Gonzalez
Member Ex-Officio: Angelo Moreno
DHS/Holmes Orchestra Boosters
P.O. Box 1802
Davis, CA 95617