Massive concert to feature 275 students

Hundreds of high school students will come together in harmony Saturday for the 10th Annual In Concert — a joining of talented musicians from schools within the San Mateo Union High School District.

In Concert X will feature more than 275 students from all six campuses challenging the more advanced musicians by working on difficult pieces and with students of an equal caliber in one of four different groups: Symphonic band, orchestra, jazz band and choir. Performing in the show — a collaboration between the district, College of San Mateo and the Foundation for the Fine and Performing Arts — earns each student college credit. Students work with a special guest director for two weeks leading up to the show.

"Initially it was started to give the more skilled students a chance to work with students other than the ones at their school,” said Jan Esaki, vice president of the Foundation for the Fine and Performing Arts. "At a school students are at all different skill levels and you can’t leave some behind. You can’t always challenge yourself. This gives them a chance to be connected with the larger Bay Area music community.”

Aragon sophomore Jason Bade agreed adding the concert gave him a chance to play great pieces. Bade began playing violin six years ago, but it only makes up part of his musical interest. He also plays piano and recently joined the school’s chamber choir.

Flute player Stephanie Cala, a sophomore from Aragon, reluctantly joined music in sixth grade.

"My mom made me join. She said if I hated it I could leave. But after two weeks, I loved it. It’s just inspiring,” she said.

Performing this year is particularly appealing to Cala, who loves collaborating with other musicians.

Hillsdale sophomore David Oh began playing violin while still living in Korea because he was jealous of his cousin. The fun of playing made him stay with it.

"Sometimes I get overwhelmed with school. Playing music makes me happy. When I get to orchestra, it’s like a break,” he said.

Tuba player Harrison Walkowiak will be performing with In Concert for his third time. He keeps coming back because it’s fun and he loves meeting the other high school students.

This year’s guest directors include Jonathan Knight of Los Medanos College directing the symphonic band, Buddy James from the California State University, East Bay directing the choir, Dave Eshelman from CSUEB directing jazz band and Richard Williams, the music director of the San Francisco Bohemian Club, directing the orchestra.

Money generated from the event will go toward the $90,000 goal of funding an accompanist for the choirs in the area. The pianists were cut from the district’s budget during a financial struggle earlier this year. Not having the experienced musician in the classroom makes it difficult for teachers to give the one-on-one direction students need, said Esaki.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.

Where to go

The performance will be 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St. in San Mateo.

$15 general admission; $10 for seniors and students.

Performers

Jazz band

Chris Sullivan, Burlingame, alto saxophone

Chris Lam, Mills, alto saxophone

Bryan Giusto, Aragon, tenor saxophone

Joseph Lee, Mills, tenor saxophone

Jared Belsky, San Mateo, baritone saxophone

Caleb Blood, Aragon, lead trumpet

Tyler Kaneshiro, Aragon, trumpet

Lee Shaffer, San Mateo, trumpet

Max Shulaker, Aragon, trumpet

Kurtis Kubo, Aragon, lead trombone

Aya Orozco, Aragon, trombone

Kevin Brewer, Aragon, trombone

Kyle Parent, Hillsdale, bass trombone

Leslie Chang, San Mateo, keyboard

Noah Deiz, Burlingame, keyboard

Brian Kato, San Mateo, guitar

Kate Martin, Aragon, bass

Scott Mcauliffe, Aragon, drums

Orchestra

Joshua Chiu, San Mateo, violin

David Oh, Hillsdale, violin

Jason Bade, Aragon, violin

Soo-Hyoun Kwon, Capuchino, violin

Soojin Kwon, Capuchino, violin

Eric Sho, Aragon, violin

Mac Chan, Aragon, violin

Emily Ho, Aragon, violin

Edan Freiberger, San Mateo, violin

Lauren Nishizaki, Aragon, violin

Kimberly Ababseh, Capuchino, violin

Mary Bradford, Capuchino, violin

Molly Cheng, Aragon, violin

Christian Cunich, Aragon, violin

Wendy Paz, Aragon, violin

Frances Wang, Aragon, violin

Sydney Weiser, Aragon, violin

Kaitlin Kane, Hillsdale, unseated violin

Emad Alazzeh, Hillsdale, unseated violin

Quinten Leong, Hillsdale, unseated violin

Deepak Ravichandran, Hillsdale, unseated violin

Lisa Cheung, Mills, unseated violin

Christine Lewis, Mills, unseated violin

Mark Ren, Mills, unseated violin

Stanley Quan, San Mateo, viola

Ellie Zalewski, Aragon, viola

Sara Ramos, Capuchino, viola

Julia Borden, Aragon, viola

Jane Hwang, Aragon, viola

Krysten Ikeda, Aragon, viola

Carol Le, Mills, viola

Haely Meyer, Aragon, viola

Pooja Sharma, Capuchino, viola

Lauren Sanford, Capuchino, viola

Elizabeth McMahon, Capuchino, viola

John Dunsford, Hillsdale, viola

Mark Johnson, Hillsdale, viola

Yoshikazu Tanaka, Hillsdale, cello

Ben Geva, Aragon, cello

Diego Hemken, San Mateo, cello

Dustin Janatpour, Hillsdale, cello

Raymond Macias, Hillsdale, cello

Michael Wu, San Mateo, cello

Jessica Barney, Aragon, cello

Nelson Cheung, Aragon, cello

Josiah Lau, Mills, cello

Sydnie McGuire, Capuchino, cello

Clinton Ngan, Aragon, cello

Oscar Tejeda, Aragon, cello

Marcus Bush, Aragon, bass

Phyllis Law, Mills, bass

Choir

Alicia Maloney, Burlingame, alto

Alisha Covello, Hillsdale, alto

Alissa Lavakeiaho, Burlingame, alto

Anaselia Galli, Burlingame, alto

Annie Garcia, Aragon, alto

Ashley Steadham, Hillsdale, alto

Brianna Corzo, San Mateo, alto

Brittany Tonga, Capuchino, alto

Candace Jalile, Capuchino, alto

Carolyn Worthge, Hillsdale, alto

Cassaundra Wu, Mills, alto

Christina Ludan, Mills, alto

Christine Dimaano, Aragon, alto

Claudia Tatola, San Mateo, alto

Emily Tuipulotu, San Mateo, alto

Etta Benintendi, Capuchino, alto

Helen Chan, Burlingame, alto

Hope Caldwell, Hillsdale, alto

Jasmine Chan, Burlingame, alto

Jeune Mortenson, Hillsdale, alto

Joelle Kenyatta, Capuchino, alto

Jordan Epstein, Aragon, alto

Kathryn Martin, San Mateo, alto

Keisarina Hafoka, San Mateo, alto

Kelsey Moore, Aragon, alto

Lloyd-Nixie Melendres, Aragon, alto

Maya Zakatchenko, Burlingame, alto

Megan Higaki, Aragon, alto

Monica Dittbern, San Mateo, alto

Oliva Basic, Aragon, alto

Rachel Jarlsberg, San Mateo, alto

Samantha Fallon, Burlingame, alto

Tiffany Wong, Mills, alto

Waverly Wong, Mills, alto

McKeana Anthony, Capuchino, bass

Andrew Hubble, Aragon, bass

Arthur Kao, San Mateo, bass

Cameron Wiegand, Hillsdale, bass

Derek Lee, Aragon, bass

Jack Loring, Burlingame, bass

Jeffrey Taylor, Aragon, bass

Jonathan Ueng, Mills, bass

Kylen Osborne, Hillsdale, bass

Luis Sanchez, Hillsdale, bass

Nick Hartford, Aragon, bass

Patrick Gotingco, Mills, bass

Penisimani (Ben) Naufahu, San Mateo, bass

R.J. Jimenez, Mills, bass

Rafel Bocobo, Aragon, bass

Tapavalu (Sitani) Tuipulotu, San Mateo, bass

Zachary Agoff, Aragon, bass

Akiko Yamashita, Mills, soprano

Anastasia Heublein, San Mateo, soprano

Anna Kaiser, San Mateo, soprano

Ashley Kahn, Burlingame, soprano

Audtianna Silva, Capuchino, soprano

Avary Mitchell, Aragon, soprano

Breena Nunez, Mills, soprano

Carrie Wade, Hillsdale, soprano

Charisma Riodil, Capuchino, soprano

Chelsea Cameron, San Mateo, soprano

Danielle Jalile, Capuchino, soprano

Diana Castro, San Mateo, soprano

Emma Anders, Burlingame, soprano

Emma Watkins, Aragon, soprano

Erika Kelly, Aragon, soprano

Gabriela Prado, Mills, soprano

Genesis Docena, Mills, soprano

Hannah Hoffman, Burlingame, soprano

Hayley Stallings , San Mateo, soprano

Jamie Weinstock, Capuchino, soprano

Jennifer Chung, Mills, soprano

Kalinda Law, Mills, soprano

Katherine Quinn, Capuchino, soprano

Khristine Fontana, Hillsdale, soprano

Lauren Prescott, San Mateo, soprano

Lauren Puliatch, Mills, soprano

Lillian Alexander, Hillsdale, soprano

Lindsay Guillaume, Hillsdale, soprano

Mary Hill, Mills, soprano

Meghan Souther , Hillsdale, soprano

Melissa Reinertson, Aragon, soprano

Michelle Lopez, Mills, soprano

Monica Tirrado, Burlingame, soprano

Morgan Murphy, San Mateo, soprano

Nelisa Havili, San Mateo, soprano

Nika Carillo, Mills, soprano

Noel Walker, Mills, soprano

Rachel Lamb, Burlingame, soprano

Rachel Shoenbrun, Aragon, soprano

Rebecca Nagel, Aragon, soprano

Sandra Hintermann, Capuchino, soprano

Sarah Dufficy, Hillsdale, soprano

Sarah Goldrath, Aragon, soprano

Shuling Lu, Mills, soprano

Sierra Greenne, Hillsdale, soprano

Yvonne Zheng, Aragon, soprano

Aaron Lavulo, San Mateo, tenor

Alto Lu, Mills, tenor

Andrew Ignacio , San Mateo, tenor

Anthony Mace, San Mateo, tenor

Bryan Kim, Burlingame, tenor

Carlos Olmos, Aragon, tenor

Ethan Donoghue, Hillsdale, tenor

Jan Tolu, Hillsdale, tenor

John Konopka, Aragon, tenor

Kendall Barden, Hillsdale, tenor

Kendrick Christopher, Capuchino, tenor

Kyle Arikaki, Aragon, tenor

Mark Pajarillo, Aragon, tenor

Matt Abad, Aragon, tenor

Matthew Petromilli, San Mateo, tenor

Michael Vendel, San Mateo, tenor

Nicholas Shen, Burlingame, tenor

Siobahn Purugganan, Mills, tenor

Stefan Moser, Aragon, tenor

Timothy Morris, Capuchino, tenor

Vincent Ushikubo, San Mateo, tenor

William Chidyausiki, Aragon, tenor

Zachary Vaden, San Mateo, tenor

Evan Bladh, Capuchino, tenor/bass

Band

Amanda Khoe, San Mateo, piccolo

Kevin Lee, Aragon, flute

Erin Laurie, Burlingame, flute

Natalie Asai, Aragon, flute

Emilie Sagot, San Mateo, flute

Lorna Rodriguez, Hillsdale, flute

Natalia Pfaff, Burlingame, flute

Nikolaos Mac, Mills, flute

Tara Caughlan, Aragon, flute

Kristen Ozorio, Aragon, flute

Diana Lee, Capuchino, flute

Darin Wulff, Mills, flute

Maya Okada, San Mateo, oboe

Allison Nice, Hillsdale, oboe

Kate Martin, Aragon, English horn

Momo Ozawa, Mills, clarinet

Ryan Cho, Hillsdale, clarinet

Elaina Marshalek, Aragon, clarinet

Raymond Lee, Burlingame, clarinet

Frank Liu, San Mateo, clarinet

Sarah Marotta, Burlingame, clarinet

Sadie Sammut, Capuchino, clarinet

Melina Rodas, Aragon, clarinet

Cassie Estassi, Mills, clarinet

Tiffany Trinh, Mills, clarinet

Lauren Kawawaki, Mills, clarinet

Alicia Toldi, San Mateo, clarinet

Alana Lucas, San Mateo, clarinet

Francis Wang, Aragon, clarinet

Franklin Wu, Aragon, clarinet

Esther Adelstein, Aragon, clarinet

Hidenori Shimoda, Mills, bass clarinet

Joey Hassid, Aragon, bass clarinet

Yui Hayashi, San Mateo, bass clarinet

Adam Resnick, San Mateo, bass clarinet

Matt Ota, Aragon, bass clarinet

Krysten Hogg, Aragon, bass clarinet

Matt Quan, Mills, contrabass clarinet

Emilio Hemken, San Mateo, bassoon

Thomas Neulinger, Hillsdale, bassoon

Daiki Takekawa, Aragon, bassoon

Harkiran Bolaria, Aragon, bassoon

Angelica Pettenato, Mills, bassoon

Nicholas Lew, Aragon, alto saxophone

Andrew Wailes, San Mateo, alto saxophone

Matt Jones, Capuchino, alto saxophone

Brandon Bielagus, Hillsdale, alto saxophone

James Riley, Hillsdale, tenor saxophone

Garret Conour, Aragon, tenor saxophone

Ziva Shulaker, Aragon, tenor saxophone

Liz McMahon, Capuchino, baritone saxophone

Paul Derugin, Burlingame, trumpet

Esther Hood, Aragon, trumpet

Patrick Mason, Hillsdale, trumpet

Ben Hill, Capuchino, trumpet

Greg Pace, Hillsdale, trumpet

Rebekah Marotta, Burlingame, trumpet

Alex Zhang, Mills, trumpet

Wesley Prager, Hillsdale, trumpet

Brian Strathearn, San Mateo, trumpet

Josh Mac, Mills, trumpet

Scott Bade, Aragon, trumpet

Brian Herrera, Hillsdale, trumpet

Jeffrey Shum, San Mateo, French horn

Eric Morin, San Mateo, French horn

Genevieve Lau, Aragon, French horn

Geoff Horn, Burlingame, French horn

Kirsten Moore, Mills, French horn

Bryan Harry, Hillsdale, French horn

Nina Levine, Mills, French horn

Sophie Powers, Mills, trombone

Kelly Bratt, Hillsdale, trombone

Emma Watkins, Aragon, trombone

Vicki Taylor, San Mateo, trombone

Nathan Porras, Aragon, trombone

Kana Yamada, Mills, trombone

Ezen Choo, Mills, trombone

Christine Paras, Aragon, trombone

Ryan Flatland, San Mateo, trombone

AJ Chlarson, San Mateo, trombone

Maxfield Camplin, Hillsdale, euphonium

Jonathan Anstett, Aragon, euphonium

Peter Cownan, Mills, euphonium

Kim Helms, Aragon, tuba

Katie Tesarowski, San Mateo, tuba

Rachel Marotta, Burlingame, tuba

Elizabeth Osorio, Aragon, tuba

Bob Campagna, Mills, tuba

Sarah Jacobs, Aragon, tuba

Harrison Walkowiak, Mills, tuba

Jason Lai, San Mateo, percussion

Nate Marsh, Mills, percussion

Adara Friley, Burlingame, percussion

Suzanne Gomba, Aragon, percussion

Andrew Tong, Aragon, percussion

Kasper Kuo, Aragon, piano