Calabasas High's night of music

Calabasas High School's new grand piano took center stage at the school's standing-room-only winter concert recently.

The concert, directed by Josh Barroll and Aaron Kohen, featured two allfemale choirs, Harmony and Vivace, a co-ed choir called Maestoso, two a cappella groups, Bare Rhythm and Unstrumental, and the school's wind ensemble.

According to Lori Weiss, a parent volunteer at the school, the concert "captivated the audience with a variety of music."

The groups Vivace, Maestosa and Harmony performed an assortment of folk, spiritual and inspirational songs, including "Can You Hear" by Jim Papoulis, "Hear My Prayer" by Moses Hogan and "Jonah" by Rollo Dilworth.

The a cappella groups performed songs by the pop/rock singers, Jem, Kt Tunstell and Natasha Bedingfield, as well as a number by the punk trio Eve 6.

The Wind Ensemble played "Sedona" by Steven Reineke and the concert concluded with what Weiss called "a bold and dynamic piece" called "Olympiada" by Samuel R. Hazo.

"Olympiada was written to captivate the intense emotions of glory and defeat one might experience in the Olympic games," Weiss said.

Many of the numbers performed were accompanied by Robbie Gillman on the school's new grand piano, Weiss said. "This beautiful instrument would not have been possible but for the support and generosity of the music families and music boosters," she said.

"It was a wonderful and inspiring start to what promises to be yet another banner year for the Calabasas Music Department," Weiss said.

- Stephanie Bertholdo