Lirico Chamber Singers will perform in Ireland
A group of young singers from the Spokane Valley will prepare this year for a musical trip through Ireland.
About 19 students and graduates of the Lirico Chamber Singers plan to travel June 26 through July 4 to perform under the direction of Russell Seaton, director of choirs at University High School.
The group will sing in its madrigal style at various venues, including ancient castles and cathedrals. The Ireland tour has planned stops in Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny.
“It’s important to expose the students to a different culture, and they’re gong to be singing in the style of music where the music was actually performed and written 400 to 500 years ago,” Seaton said.
The Lirico singers also will get to work with professionals in Ireland.
The group will spend time this year raising money and seeking sponsorships for the trip, including a concert at the Met Theater in June, Seaton said. For more information, contact Seaton at 228-5306 or visit www.uhighchoir.org.
Pioneer School students experience native culture
Pioneer School students got a glimpse this week of native art and culture of the Pacific Northwest Coast, through visiting artist and teacher Ronn Wilson.
Wilson is with the Of Cedar and Salmon program, which offers hands-on workshops with the sights and sounds of Pacific Northwest Coast native people. He talked about cultural differences on Tuesday, such as how native clans can think questions are rude.
“If we were again a village, explain to me why asking a question is rude?” Wilson asked. He explained that many families have their secrets, inner circles and stories of significance behind certain ceremonies or art. They also have a different way of teaching and learning. Even his own children have yet to be told some things, he said. “They haven’t proven worthy.”
Other topics included how paint was made using salmon eggs and natural resources such as ground seashells. He taught the children a native dance and drumming they participated in for a potlatch winter ceremony.
Wilson also visited West Valley City School.
Humane Society benefits from students’ efforts
Continuous Curriculum School student Madison Wolff went a long way to touch the lives of animals.
Wolff recently organized a drive at her school that raised $150 for the Humane Society. She sold paper dog bones to students and CCS staff, placing the bones on the office walls. Wolff’s friends, Allison Garcia and Kendall Steiner, helped with the fund-raiser.
Wolff told school staff that she was inspired to help the many animals impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Relief workers are still finding stray animals in affected areas.
EVSD staff members honored
The East Valley School District gave out November staff awards of appreciation.
Staff is honored for inspiring positive attitudes, productive and dependable performances, creation and maintenance of safe and caring schools, and for dedication and commitment.
Those recognized included district technology department members Brian Wallace, Char Burrill, Neale Rasmussen, Jeremy Hedrick and Andrew Rustad; district employees Georgi Delgadillo and Yolanda Westerberg; Deb Lambert, with administration; Sharon Stewart, East Farms Elementary; Shannon Stookey, East Valley Middle School; and Darrell Bjerke, East Valley High School.