By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Arrowhead Arts Association Auxiliary held a membership luncheon and raffle at Spade & Spatula in Blue Jay on Tuesday, March 18, which was attended by about 30 persons. They are seeking new members who share a passion for music and want to assist them in their mission.
The Auxiliary was formed to keep the music programs in the schools by raising funds through their volunteer hours working at the Mountain Thrift Shoppe in Blue Jay.
Michelle Wavering, the Auxiliary president, welcomed everyone and shared their passion for the arts, and the purpose and goals of the organization. They support and bring cultural events to the mountain, such as the Mountaintop Strings concert coming up this June at the San Moritz Lodge and the Fall Music Festival concert at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. They also bring musical concerts to the elementary schools each year to introduce youngsters to the beauty of live music. The Auxiliary raises funds to provide private lessons to music students and provide transportation for the high school students to choir and band competitions throughout the southland. They also give out scholarships each spring to graduating seniors to enable those promising students’ higher education in the musical arts.
Erin Zhou eloquently performing her solo, “The Theme from Shindler’s List,” for the Arrowhead Arts Association Auxiliary in Blue Jay.
Two of the many students in the music program performed at the luncheon. The astounding violin performances by James Phillips, who is in eighth grade, and Erin Zhou, who also attends MPH in seventh grade, amazed the Auxiliary members with their professionalism and the style and beauty of their performance. After playing Bach’s “Concerto for Two Violins,” they each performed a solo.
Erin, age 13, entranced them with the “Theme from Shindler’s List,” by John Williams. Erin started her musical journey playing the piano. “I tried playing the piano but, when I found the violin, I had so much fun and enjoy it so very much, I’ve just continued with it,” she said, with a big smile. “I will be performing to an orchestral track, at the Lake Arrowhead School of Dance spring show, while the students perform a contemporary dance.”
James, aged 14, played the classical “La Folla” by Arcangelo Corelli, fascinating everyone with his excellent precision in playing and the lovely sound he was able to coax out of his violin. When interviewed, his parents said James plans to make his career out of playing music. They said he became fascinated with the violin after seeing the movie Titanic and fell in love with the instrument; since 2022 has dedicated himself to creating beautiful music from his violin.
“Those students were simply wonderful,” said Virgie Witte. “It is good to see young people taking music so seriously and being so proficient.”
Both James and Erin are members of the Mountaintop Strings, which was established in 2011 and includes musicians from the Rim and Big Bear areas. This group performs locally and all over Southern California with plans to tour Europe every other year. These tours enable these musicians to perform in numerous ancient European cathedrals, and historical places such as the Pantheon in Rome, plus Carnegie Hall. James went on this trip last summer, performing in 10 historic venues.
James Phillips expertly playing “La Folia” at the Arrowhead Arts Association Auxiliary membership luncheon last week. (Photos by Rhea-Frances Tetley)
“We now have a district music teacher again, to whom we’ve donated $5,000, which we hope is used on instruments,” said Chryl Russell. Over the past 20 years, she said, over $500,000 has been raised and donated to the district, and it is their intention to continue doing so.
Last Friday night, MPH had an excellent concert showcasing the school’s band and choirs to a full house. Music is appreciated in this district, and it is proven that those who also learn music do better in school.
The Auxiliary’s gala will be held at the Lake Arrowhead Country Club in August and they will hold a community garden tour on June 28. They will have musicians playing in numerous beautiful gardens in the Lake Arrowhead area, ending up at the Rose Garden at Mountains Community Hospital for wine and cheese. They hope this garden tour becomes an annual event. Last year, they had musicians playing at two homes during the annual Lake Arrowhead Home Tour; Erin and James were the performers at one of those home last fall.
For more information about the Arrowhead Arts Association and all they do for the local music community, see their website at www.ArrowheadArts.org.
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