On Friday, May 25, Los Angeles-based musicians North La Brea All Star Conquistadors performed a concert for all Byron-Bergen High School students and led clinics for music students at the middle and high school levels. One smaller seminar was designed for those interested in music as a potential career and included several Byron-Bergen alumni. The group is comprised of Adrianne Gonzalez, Gabriel Mann, Jay Nash and Garrison Starr, four singer/songwriters who found each other in California. They began playing together every Monday night at Room 5, a small club in west L.A. "We would all take turns playing our songs," says Nash. "Inevitably, we would all chime in on each other's songs with harmonies and improvised accompaniment on our instruments. Within a month or so, the crowd swelled from merely a handful to capacity plus." Each of the artists has his/her own CDs, but the group has recorded together as the North La Brea All Star Conquistadors. Vocal music director Kathy White was pleased with the opportunity it brought to her students. "Not only were they great musicians and great people who allowed us to pick their brains, but the experience reminded me why I am in the profession I am - because I'm passionate about the fine arts and love teaching kids. The district posted photos from the day's events at www.bbcs.k12.ny.us/conquistadors.htm. June 10, 2007 |
