Community: Choirs hope for happy trails along competition path
There’s something warm and comforting about attending “Carroll’s Corral” and it’s not just the chili and cornbread.
The students in Burbank High School’s choirs know how to make one feel at home. They dressed in jeans, bandannas and cowboy hats for the third annual Vocal Music Assn. fundraiser on Sept. 19. The title is a play on words, using choir director Brett Carroll’s last name and Corral instead of chorale.
Familiar Western favorites were performed including the title song from the musical “Oklahoma” and “Buttons and Bows”, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in the film “The Paleface” starring Bob Hope and Jane Russell.
Between performances, students went to their assigned tables and served up meat or vegetarian chili, cornbread, green salad and lemonade to family and friends. Parents of the Vocal Music Assn. Booster Club cooked up the meal.
The event is the stepping stone for the rest of the year, said Randy Sage, assistant choir director and a choreographer.
“This show trains them for what’s ahead,” he said. “[To prepare] we did a lot of basic fundamentals vocally — things like breath support [efficient use of a singer’s stream of breath], and placement of the sound,” he said, referring to a vocal term referring to resonance.
“It’s always a great first fundraiser for us and it’s fun,” he added. “It gets them out there in front of an audience performing, which is really hard, especially for the young kids.”
Student groups performing were In Sync advanced mixed choir, Out of the Blue intermediate mixed choir, Impressions advanced women’s choir, Sound Dogs men’s choir, and the a cappella groups — the Sirens women’s choir and the Gentlemen’s Octet.
Willard Woods was one of four parents who outbid others during the live auction. He will have the Sirens perform at his office holiday party for the Writers Guild Pension and Health Fund.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the kids to perform, and for the parents, family members and friends to support,” he said. “Mr. Carroll is a wonderful role model for the students, and the program produces competitive choirs that are among the top in the country.”
Funds raised go to the program, which has an annual budget of $400,000. Expenses include bus transportation to competitions, choreographers, costumes and scholarships for students whose family can’t afford the cost to participate, said Ellie Stockwell, president of the Vocal Music Assn. Booster Club.
“It’s an enriching program,” she said. “They learn life skills — how to work together, to be dedicated, responsible, and it keeps them out of trouble.”
The Vocal Music Assn. is now gearing up for its next fundraiser “Night of Magic” on Nov. 14 at the Pickwick. There will be food and a silent auction. Tickets are $80, and to reserve them, go to BHSvocal.com.
Three receive Vision Award
Three businessmen will receive the Mary Alice O’Connor Vision Award at the Family Service Agency’s annual “Imagine a City” dinner on Saturday at Providence High School.
The award is named for Burbank’s most outstanding volunteer, Mary Alice O’Connor, who passed away in 2010. O’Connor was devoted to providing community service in many areas, especially as a founding board member of the Family Service Agency. The board of directors continues to honor her memory by recognizing those who do extraordinary work in the community.
Those being honored will be Gary Bric, owner of the Ramp restaurant. Bric provides the beverages for each “Imagine a City” dinner and tends bar throughout the evening. Alan Arzoian owns Handy Market, a major sponsor of the agency’s annual art show. The Luis Lara Family owns Command Performance catering, which provides the meals for the “Imagine a City” dinner.
“They represent what Mary Alice O’Connor stood for — giving back to the community,” said Laurie Bleick, executive director of the Family Service Agency.
Funds raised go to mental-health counseling provided every day at all 18 schools in the Burbank Unified school district.
Funds raised go to provide between 40 and 50 counselors every year.
“We touched the lives of over 2,000 students last year,” she said.
For tickets, call (818) 845-7671 or visit imagineacity.com.
Salvation Army welcomes new lieutenants
The Burbank Salvation Army Corps welcomed Lts. Jeremy and Brittany Baker, and their young son, Micah, during a recent advisory board meeting.
Lt. Jeremy Baker was born into a Salvation Army family, and before becoming an officer, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He later worked in different areas within the Salvation Army.
Lt. Brittany Baker first heard about the army when her mother was struggling to make ends meet and often would come home with a food box from the Salvation Army’s Social Service Food Program. Seeing how the organization ministered to those in poverty, and how they welcomed her family with open arms, she felt a calling to serve in the Salvation Army Ministry. Before moving to Burbank, the Bakers served as assistant corps officers in Salem, Ore.
They invite everyone to come see the office and also join in the worship service at 11 a.m. each Sunday at 300 E. Angeleno Ave. For more information, call (818) 845-7214.
Historical museum dresses up for Halloween
The Burbank Historical Society has decorated the Gordon R. Howard Museum for Halloween. To celebrate the scary season, the society will present “Flickers from the Silver Scream” — a vintage Halloween show at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 10. The museum is next door to the Creative Arts Center in George Izay Park. There is free parking in the lot at 1100 W. Clark Ave.
There will be vintage theater slides, silent horror and comedy shorts for Halloween featuring cartoons, some talkies and a sing-along. Returning this year is entertainer Galen Wilkes, who was introduced to the player piano at age 2.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.