After six years of music instruction at the elementary schools, Stanley Middle School students are primed and ready to embrace the opportunity for daily music study where students can choose music as an elective. Depending on grade and experience, students join Cadet Band, Concert Green, Concert Gold, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Strings Intermezzo!, or Chorus.

LPIE supports music funding for bands, orchestras, and chorus by augmenting Lafayette School District funding for music teachers including Bob Athayde and Loretta McNulty. LPIE donations also provide funding for the Stanley music administrative assistant Ginni Reynolds and guest artists. Music mentors, like the music aides in the elementary schools, are also funded by LPIE. They are professional musicians who support student learning. They offer students opportunities for small group instruction, often joining them as they practice and play the week's musical selection.

Bob Athayde and Loretta McNulty teach students in 5 bands, 2 string ensembles, 2 jazz bands, and chorus. The teachers have developed a music program at Stanley that has been recognized at local, state and national levels for its outstanding achievements in music education and performance. Bob Athayde notes, "It has been said, that when words fail, music speaks. Thanks to LPIE for giving us a voice. More and more studies confirm that music is so necessary in developing the 'whole child'. Thanks to LPIE we are able to continue to nurture this important aspect of the Lafayette School District student population."

The Stanley music rooms are warm, friendly and inviting, and parents are always welcome. It is not uncommon to see adults (music mentors, parents and other community members) who (used to) play an instrument, drop in for a cup of coffee, listen to rehearsal, or even to sit in and play with the band.

Seventh Grade Stanley student, Joshua M says "I really appreciate all of the extra help we get from professional musicians. We are so fortunate to be able to learn from, and play along with some really famous musicians".    

By the time music students are promoted from 8th grade, they are prepared to face the challenges that the Acalanes High School music program has to offer. Acalanes students can choose from instrumental and choral music.

In support of both choral and instrumental music, LPIE provides funds for a broad variety of services and opportunities- from the purchase of instruments and supplies to visits from professional musicians and mentors. This provides students with unique and inspiring experiences that allow them to hone their skills, develop techniques, and create successful musical moments and performances.

The Acalanes instrumental music program, under the direction of Mr. Norm Dea, currently supports 5 musical groups: Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, String Orchestra, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Norman Dea is completing his 30th year of teaching in the Acalanes Union High School District, and is in his fifth year as the Director of Instrumental Music at Acalanes High School in Lafayette.

LPIE provides music mentors, professional  musicians who come into the music classes on a regular basis and give students small group instruction and support. This allows students the individualized attention that directly impacts their growth as musicians and performers. Inspiration comes with the addition of LPIE funded guest clinicians who perform mini-concerts or perform with students during class time with the ensemble, band or concert groups.  

This year, Acalanes music students welcomed a broad range of guests, including Dr. Edward Harris and Michael DiGiacinto from San José State University, Juliana Athayde from the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester Philharmonic, Principal Horn of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra Kevin Rivard, and a musical presentation from the Chapman University Conservatory of Music. 

Norm Dea tells us, "LPIE supports Instrumental Music at Acalanes with inside the classroom activities which include funding for instrumental music coaches, master classes, instrumental music supplies, and new instruments. LPIE is integral to our successful program."   

Visit the Acalanes Instrumental Music department website for more information.

Bruce Lengacher is finishing his fourteenth year as the director of choral activities at Acalanes High School. He also serves as the chairperson of the Visual and Performing Arts Department, a position he has held for the past six years. He directs Chorale (beginning level choral group) as well as several exclusive (audition only) choral musical groups, Bella Voce, Women's Ensemble, and Chamber Singers, in addition to the larger group, Concert Choir.

Under Mr. Lengacher direction, all the choral groups are in a constant state of motion. Classroom time is spent on developing the voice as well as techniques of performance. Efforts culminate in performances, competitions, and the musical production. LPIE's support of choral music provides students with voice coaches and master voice teachers as well as an accompanist, giving them the opportunity and experience they need to develop and grow musically. Mr. Lengacher tells us, "LPIE provides all of the choral music students with professional voice instruction via our Master Voice Teacher, Clifton Massey and our three vocal coaches, Chip Grant, Carol Kessler, and Chad Runyon. All of our voice faculty are not only experienced voice teachers but also performers. Their presence in our program provides quality instruction in vocal technique, stage presence and the importance of musicianship. From small group sectionals to solo coaching, to character work, the benefits that the students receive from our voice faculty are invaluable and help us to excel in the classroom and on stage."

Choral music student Caroline Whelehan elaborates. "My choral director makes the choir program very special and I am so grateful to have had the chance to sing every day of my high school career. The voice coaches are also very talented musicians and getting the chance to learn from them for the past 3 years has been wonderful. We are very fortunate to have such amazing figures acting as teachers and mentors to all of the students in the Acalanes choir program." 

Funding for the school musical's choreographer contributes to students' progress and achievements. This year's production, Sugar, was the musical version of Some Like it Hot. The show played in early March to a full house every night, with members of the audience overheard to comment those were the best performances in recent memory.

Visit the Acalanes Choral Music department website for more information. 

LPIE is excited to partner with Acalanes Performing Arts Boosters in the support of music students at Acalanes. While LPIE funds in-class activities, including instructors, guest artists and accompanist, APAB supports activities that occur outside the classroom.

Accolades: LPIE applauds the students in instrumental and choral music for their accomplishments, not only in music but in the skills learned through competition and personal success. Congratulations to the Symphonic Band for receiving a straight Excellent Rating with a Superior in Sight-Reading (the second highest rating), and to the Freshman Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble for receiving Unanimous Superior Awards & Ratings (the highest rating.)at the California Music Education Association (CMEA) Band & Orchestra Festival at San Ramon Valley High School at the end of April.

We also acknowledge the success of the choral music students. At the CMEA choral festival a few weeks ago,all the choral groups performed extremely well. Chorale received an "Excellent" rating, Concert Choir received a "Superior" with an additional "Superior" in sight reading; and Prima Voce (Bella Voce and the women of Chamber Singers) received an "Unanimous Superior" and scored 99/100 in sight reading.

Congratulations to all the Acalanes music students. We are proud of the small part we have played in supporting your music education and contributing to your pursuit of music, excellence, and achievement. Congratulations to your teachers Mr. Dea and Mr. Lengacher as well. We are proud of you all!

It's spring and music is in the air throughout Lafayette. There is no better way to see the outcome of your generous gifts to LPIE than attending one of the Spring music concerts. Although several concerts have already been performed, there are still numerous opportunities to see our students, taught by LPIE supported teachers, aides, and mentors, in their school concerts throughout Lafayette during May.

Acalanes Concerts

May 16 Spring Instrumental Concert #1 7:00pm PAC

May 22 Spring Instrumental Concert #2 7:00pm PAC

May 28 & 29 Acalanes Pop Concerts "Car Tunes"  7:00pm PAC

May 20 "Spring Concert 1" 7:30-9:00pm Gym

May 21  "Spring Concert 2" 7:30-9:00pm Gym 

 Elementary Concerts 

Happy Valley - May 28  

9:00am 4th & 5th Band/Strings/ Chorus  

Lafayette Elementary - May 28

1:15pm 4th & 5th Band/Strings/ Chorus

Springhill - May 30

1:20 4th & 5th Band/Strings/Chorus

Burton Valley - May 31

1:00pm 4th & 5th Band/Strings/Chorus 

The LPIE communications needs are wide-spread.  LPIE has two communications chairs, Communications-Fundraising and Communications-Foundation.   

LPIE communications, especially those for fundraising, rely on fliers and posters to catch the eye of potential donors. Graphic designer Danielle Gallagher is the woman behind the look of LPIE. Every publication, both print and electronic, has been carefully thought out for visual impact and readability. Danielle started her LPIE volunteer career at Burton Valley, as then LASF Science Fair chair for two years. There, she re-designed banners and posters, and then became the school's LASF/LPIE school chair during the foundation's transition. She saw the increasing need for communicating a clear, bold LPIE presence that was uniform at all the schools. During her tenure as Communications Chair, Danielle has accomplished the creation of a consistent image throughout the community and has been instrumental in creating a strong LPIE brand. "We're trying to keep the message simple, clear and recognizable," she said.

As Communications Chair - Foundation, Carolyn Maples puts her proof-reading and editorial skills to work making sure that all LPIE publications project the foundation's message in accordance with its mission. To make this happen, she works closely with the Board President Juleen Lapporte, and Executive Director Myrna Kimmelman to keep the messaging clear and concise.

After volunteering in small ways for LASF when her children were at Lafayette Elementary and Stanley, Carolyn joined the LPIE board as Secretary in 2010. In the following two years her work in foundation communications has been focused on promoting LPIE, its mission, and its reason for being. She edits LPIE publications and works with the Board to refine the LPIE message, aided by the LPIE special communications committee that's headed by Shannon Tague. Almost every communication LPIE sends out, from the eNews, to this year's survey and this publication The Slice, has crossed Carolyn's desk before it reaches the public. Maples says, "I feel privileged to have been part of the tremendous amount of thought and hard work that has gone into the transformation of this organization from one that was a small but active group to the influential and collaborative institution it has become." 

LPIE also has a strong presence on facebook thanks to the efforts of Springhill parent Sarah David. Like us! 

In addition to the LPIE Communications Chairs highlighted above, each school has LPIE Communications Representatives.  A special thank you to each of these invaluable volunteers:

• Acalanes High School: Bonnie Cornell
• Stanley Middle School: Heather McNally & Quinlan Tom 
• Burton Valley Elementary: Millie Tooker & Cathy VandenBerghe 
• Happy Valley Elementary: Louise Laemmlen & Ali Minden  
• Lafayette Elementary School: Paulie Proffett & Beth Soto 
• Springhill Elementary: Jen Paul