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All school Gym Jam returns on Friday night

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Sonoma Valley Sun


 Sonoma’s youngest music stars are tuning up their instruments for the annual Gym Jam on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. in Pfeiffer Gym. In collaboration with the Sonoma Valley Unified School District and Sonoma Jazz-Plus, the Gym Jam will feature more than 250 student performers along with a unique opportunity to see the entire spectrum of school music, including the elementary, middle and high school band and choral musicians. Also performing will be a talented group of young Little Kids Rock guitarists from El Verano Elementary School, under the direction of teacher Craig Madison.

The high school will display a broad range of talent including the Concert Choir and Madrigals, as well as Concert Band and the Jazzberries. The students just completed their March trip to the Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim, during which they received three silver and one bronze awards, plus the Spirit of Anaheim trophy.

Barbara McElroy, Sonoma Valley High School music director, will be honored at the concert as she is retiring after 36 years of exemplary service to the school district. McElroy has taught at every Valley school with the exception of Adele Harrison and has been at SVHS for many years, inspiring hundreds of local musicians, while receiving numerous awards, including the 2004 Teacher of the Year Award from the Masons and being named 2010 Director of the Year by the Northern California Band and Choir Director’s Association.

Donations for the SVUSD/SJ+ Schools Gym Jam 2011 will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will go towards enhancing music education in our schools. Parents are encouraged to bring along young students to see all of the musical options that are offered in Sonoma’s public schools.

For further information, contact your school’s music teacher or call Bob Gossett at 364-3140.




Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA