The Central Division of 2026 California Music Educators Association Conference at the Buck Shaffer Theater at the Porterville Memorial Auditorium got off to a great start on Wednesday. It was great to see and hear students from Porterville area middle and high schools perform a variety of challenging music.
After each ensemble or orchestra arrived they warmed up and performed. Every performance by each school was exciting, and it was obvious all of the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm the students have for music and their musical education.
The Harmony Magnet Academy/Strathmore High Symphony Advanced Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Walters and Rodelyn Lipumano-Smith played March to the Scaffold by Hector Berlioz, arranged by Richard Meyer. They played Mother’s Hymn, “How Great Thou Art,” by Robert W. Smith, and Strange Twists and Devious Turns, by Peter Sciano. A great variety of challenging symphonic music. Walters said he was super excited for the upcoming performances to celebrate all the hardwork of the students. “I’m also proud of all my students and colleagues. We are part of such a wonderful tradition of musical excellence in Porterville and love seeing how we continue to thrive!”
Jonathan New conducted the Sequoia Middle School Intermediate Orchestra. They played The Trout, Movement 4,(Die Forelle) by Franz Schubert. The second piece they performed was Rigadoon by Henry Purcell, and Exhillaration by Cooper Ford. All the music was beautiful.
The next group was the Strathmore Middle School Bulldog Band, under the direction of George Baker. They performed Courage March, arranged by Harold Bennett and Larry Clark. The second piece they played was Celebration Overture by James Swearingen, and the third piece was Fortis written by Gary Gazlay. The music was exuberant, and they sounded great.
Linda Tejeda directed the Bartlett Middle School Bobcat Orchestra performing Burst!, composed by Brian Balmages, Ode to Joy, composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven, arranged by Elliot Del Borgo, and Entry of the Tumblers by Elliot Del Borgo. They sounded excellent playing a variety of upbeat, traditional, classical and modern music.
The Harmony Magnet Academy Advance Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Lipumano Smith, and Paul Young, performed Artemis Rising, composed by Jeffrey S. Bishop, Voyage, composed by John Corigliano,and St. Paul’s Suite, Movement One, composed by Gustav Holst. They sounded fabulous and the their hard work and dedication to their music performance was obvious.
The Sequoia Advanced Orchestra, under the direction of Jonathan New, performed Moonlight Tango, composed by Richard Meyer, Winter from the 4th Season, 2nd movement, composed by Antonio Vivaldi, arranged by Jeremy Woolstenhulme, and Entorto composed by Don Brewbakers. Their performance sounded excellent and the audience was enthusiastic and appreciative.
Harmony Intermediate Orchestra performed during the afternoon as did the Porterville Military Academy Phoenix Band directed by Patience Christenson.
THE CMEA Festival continues today and Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. each day.