Connected: Music, creativity and the family legacy

Award-winning speech by Emilie Marenec To be honest, I haven’t invented an App, or battled a life threatening disease. At the age of nine I didn’t really see anything inherently different, or special about myself. But when I was in fourth grade, a violin class was... Continue

Sonoma Valley Music adds group lessons

Starting in early February, Sonoma Valley Music will offer weekly classes, taught by local talent culled from the ranks of Sonoma’s finest musicians. Shop owners Gerard and Mary Serafini have personally selected the teaching staff and designed the new classes to appeal to a wide... Continue

James Marshall Berry – Sonoma’s own rock star

Mike Hyland – Sun Music Writer A fixture on the Sonoma music scene for many years, James Marshall Berry is perhaps the most recognized musician in town. Not only does he play music, but he writes about it for the I.T. as well as for... Continue

Hitting the high notes with the Sonoma Valley Chorale

Now nearly 100 members strong, The Sonoma Valley Chorale is battling competition like never before. Other groups have sprung up to challenge the more traditional stylings of the chorale, but so strong is the group’s fan base that current Director David Irvine isn’t worried. “The... Continue

7th Annual Katmandu Festival

Experience the diverse cultures of Nepal, Tibet and India through traditional Himalayan music and lively dance performances. Stroll through a colorful marketplace to shop for jewelry, clothing, art, antiques and crafts. Savor mouth-watering momos and other traditional fresh-cooked cuisine, and relax with a healing arts... Continue

The night Glen Miller played the Springs

Jeff Gilbert | Special to The Sun Back in the big band era, a hot venue for live music was the Boyes Hot Springs Mineral Baths dance pavilion. Known as “The Plunge,” it was a popular spot during the summer months where local orchestras and up-and-coming... Continue

Don’t stop the music

Fifty or so members of the local residential and business community came together at Ramekins Event Center Tuesday night to hear the plight of the now beleaguered Sonoma Jazz Plus festival. The public forum is in response to news that the festival has emerged from... Continue

Instrument donation thanks to Jazz+

[caption id="attachment_25100" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Sonoma Valley School District Music Coordinator, Barbara McElroy, and students from Sonoma’s Elementary Honor Band accept an instrument donation from the Union Bank Foundation during the seventh annual Sonoma Jazz+ Festival. (L-R Front Row) Students Louise Murphy, Eloy Marsical, Brenda Morales,... Continue

All school Gym Jam returns on Friday night

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... Continue

Sonoma spirit wows Anaheim music festival

[caption id="attachment_24220" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Sonoma High School students are among the award-winners at the prestigious Heritage Music Festival. Photo by Anne Stanley "][/caption] A parade of matching well-dressed teenagers strut in single-file down the cross walk, grinning and waving at astonished drivers. No, the Beatles didn’t... Continue