Graduation Concert in Richmond

On Wednesday, 18 May 2010, at 5:30 p.m., the Salvation Army’s Richmond School of Performing Arts (SPA) held its third annual Graduation Concert featuring all those children who had taken part in the program during the 2009-2010 academic year. Once again, the concert was held at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in the Church Hill area of Richmond. The children were supported by an audience of around 150 people, including other students, parents and supporters of the program.

The first performers on the program were the Richmond Junior Brass Band who opened up with Down the Street (Erik Silfverberg). This was followed by words of welcome from Richmond Area Music Director Matt Sims, who is the director of the School of Performing Arts. Boys and Girls Club Director Hugh Jones gave an invocation, which was followed by another item from the brass band, Praise Him, written by National Capital and Virginia Music Director Bandmaster Jim Anderson.

Richmond Junior Brass Band

Richmond Junior Brass Band

Up next was a cornet solo from Angela Li (age 10), who played Whiter than Snow, a piece of music that is performed by almost all beginning brass students. This was followed by the Boys and Girls Club SPA junior drama group who performed The Parable of the Sower, based on Luke 8:1–15.

Other brass solos included Jake Rodgers (horn) playing Angels Watching Over Me and Anthony Randolph (baritone) who performed I Feel Pretty from the musical “West Side Story”.

Angela Li, cornet soloist

Angela Li, cornet soloist

A number of piano solos were played at the concert. These included Paige and Connor Worthy who played Two Ducks and Little Engine and Sonora and Corinne Campbell who played My Grey Cat and The Monkey Swing. As well as beginners, there were some advanced solos, including Richard Li who performed Carnival and Anthony Randolph who played Little Indian Brave. There was also a piano trio performed by Kate Vasquez, David Morales and Caitlin Keidel, who between them played Old McDonald Had a Farm.

Another highlight included the youngest student of the School of Performing Arts, Lauren Vasquez (age 5), who sang Jesus Loves Me in Spanish and then in English. Everyone in the audience enjoyed seeing someone so young performing and getting involved in music.

Another item featured the percussion group, who used percussion sticks, buckets, metal grates, wood, concrete and a metal ladder to perform a piece of music that they had written themselves. The praise dance team performed a special item to spiritual music and the Richmond Timbrels presented a routine to the famous brass band march Star Lake.

Percussion group takes the stage

Percussion group

The final few items included the guitar group performing Here I Am to Worship and the Petersburg Praise Team, “Redeemed”, who performed the praise items, Come, Now Is the Time to Worship and Mighty to Save.

The concluding item featured the massed gospel choir singing You Are Good, which every year ends the graduation concert. This year, once again, there were around one hundred children who came through the program from the Boys and Girls Club, Richmond Citadel Corps and Petersburg Corps. It is hoped that these children will continue to grow both musically and spiritually over the next few years and beyond.

Awards

Brass Level One

Angela Li

Brass Level Two

Richard Li

Jake Rodgers

Amy Li

Rudy Li

Brass Level Three

Ann Li

Anthony Randolph

Keyboard Foundation Award

Jack Worthy

Connor Worthy

Paige Worthy

David Morales

Caitlin Keidel

Corinne Campbell

Sonora Campbell

Kate Vasquez

Keyboard Primer Award

Fredo Loiseau

Anthony Randolph

Angela Li

Keyboard Level One

Rudy Li

Amy Li

Aaron Keidel

Keyboard Level Two

Ann Li

Richard Li

Volunteer Staff Award

Darius Johnson

Outstanding Artist Award

Richard Li