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On Friday, February 21, the Dance department brought to the stage a collection of dances, fashion and art celebrating the African American experience during Black History Month. We want to thank FADA for their  art and fashion pieces provided in collaboration for this event.

The evening was generously supported by parents and the PTSA, including parent volunteers that provided food and drink for the evening. The show was well attended the audience was enthusiastic and and very supportive of our student dancers.  We want to thank our  Africa We Dance for providing the music, our Oakland Tech Techies, and Ms. Travick for her continued guidance in our Dance Department. 

Please enjoy videos from the evening at the links below:
Introduction and Fashion Show
New Human (see below)
Kuku
DunDunBa
Triba
Africa We Dance
Great Migration
Grandma’s Hands    (see below)
Greta Speech
Guest Artist Hip Hop Group
One
AfroPunk slide show
Made for Nor
Human
Finale

On Saturday, January 25, 2020, the student musicians from four Oakland bands travelled to Folsom High School for the 31st Annual Folsom Jazz Festival. The groups participating included the Edna Brewer Jazz Band and the Oakland East Side All Star Ensemble, both under the direction of Mr. Zachary Pitt-Smith; the Oakland Technical High School Jazz Band under the direction of Mr. Ted Allen and the student-directed Oakland Tech Monday Combo. Three out of the four Oakland bands received unanimous Superior ratings (or 1s) from their adjudicators’ panels.

The Folsom Jazz Festival is highly competitive venue. The Competition routinely attracts some of the top bands in the state such as Northgate H.S. (Walnut Creek,) Berkeley H.S., Downey H.S. and Rio Americano in Sacramento.

Videos:
1st Piece: Wiggle Walk by Benny Golson
2nd Piece: Desert Flower by David P. Jones
3rd Piece: 4 on 6 by Wes Montgomery

On Thursday, December 5th, the Music Department performed the Winter Concert. Thank you to all the families and community that came to listen and support. It was a great evening with performances from the Orchestra, Guitar Class, the combined choirs of Oakland Tech and Skyline HS, and the Jazz band. The evening ended with a rousing  Stevie Wonder finale, a preview of You Are the Sunshine of My Life, our theme for the Music Fundraiser on March 13th.

We want to thank a number of groups that have made the evening such a success, and they are :

• The Oakland Techies for the behind-the-scene stage support, lighting, sound and video recordings. Thank you!
• Ms. Deborah Green’s class for art and video. Thank you!
• A big shout out to all the parents that volunteered in providing and manning the  food tables for our students and families, and handling ticket sales. Thank you!
• Our professional mentors: Andy Butler (bass), Areetha Cooper (Choir), Kasey Knudsen (Sax), Emanuela Nikiforova (violin), Isaac Schwartz (drums) Sara Usher of the HOUSE program (strings). Thank you!
• Our community Sponsors: Grammy Museum Foundation, Distaff Singers, Ruth Stroup- Farmers Insurance, and David Higgins CUSH Real Estate. Thank you!

Please enjoy videos of the performances at the following links: 

Orchestra:
Magic Flute Overture
Shackleford Banks
Forge of Vulcan
Guitar Class:
Nothing Else Matters
Combined Choirs:
Carol of the Bells
Make You Feel My Love
Winter Song
Jazz Band:
Wiggle Walk
Boplicity
I Hope in Time a Change Will Come
Four on Six
Finale:
You Are the Sunshine of My Life

Our  football home games  will be against Fremont HS on October 11th, at 6:30PM and against Skyline on October 18th, at 6:30PM

All Jazz Band musicians are to report to the music room at 5:30PM, and follow any additional directions previously distributed and/or provided by Mr. Allen.

We are looking for parent volunteers for these events to feed and support the students.  Please consider signing up at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054DA4AD2CA6F85-food1