Alameda Unified School District officials are delighted to announce that musical performance season is opening in the district! In addition to the annual concerts at our elementary, middle and high schools, this year features classic musicals at both high schools.
First up, the Alameda High School Jazz Band was to perform this week at the storied Yoshi’s jazz venue in Oakland’s Jack London Square. We’re grateful to Yoshi’s for providing this opportunity to young musicians from around the Bay Area.
Then on March 7, students from schools across the Island will perform in the annual “Alameda All-City Band and Orchestra Concert.” This showcase will feature string and band students in grades six through 12 from Lincoln and Wood middle school, the Academy of Alameda, Encinal Junior and Senior High School and Alameda High School presenting a wide range of musical numbers. The concert is free and will be held in Alameda High’s gymnasium at 7 p.m.
Following that, Encinal High students will present the high-octane musical “Mamma Mia!” on March 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22. All shows will be at 7 p.m. at the Encinal gymnasium. Featuring ABBA hits such as “Super Trouper” and “Take a Chance on Me,” “Mamma Mia!” tells the story of a young woman who is simultaneously preparing for her wedding and searching for her father. Tickets are available online at gofan.co/app/school/CA22911 (scroll down to “Mamma Mia!”).
March 28 will be the opening night for Alameda High’s production of Roger & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.” First aired by CBS in 1957 (starring Julie Andrews as the maltreated step daughter) and 1965 (with an 18-year-old Lesley Ann Warren in the lead role) and then made into a feature film (Disney’s 1997 version starring Brandy), the musical features classic songs such as “In My Own Little Corner,” “Ten Minutes Ago” and “Impossible.” Here’s a bit of fan trivia — this past Saturday marked the 60th anniversary of the CBS broadcast of “Cinderella” with Warren.
Shows will be at the Frederick Chacon Little Theater at 7 p.m. March 28-29 and April 3-5 and at 2 p.m. March 30. Tickets will be available online at gofan.co/app/school/CA22847. We encourage the community to attend these events to see the remarkable theatrical, musical and dance talents of our young people!
Reach Susan Davis, the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs, at 510-337-7175 or SDavis@alamedaunified.org.