As the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland gears up for its May 26 Annual Pancake Breakfast to be held the Peter Kirk Community Center from 7AM-noon, local youth musicians are tuning up for the occasion. As in past years, music will be part of the fun at the breakfast. Lined up to perform are musical acts from local schools and music studios. All proceeds from the breakfast are donated to Attain Housing to help with homelessness in our area.
7:00–7:45AM Paul Richardson
He began his first piano lessons at age 9, and in 5 years was composing music and studying music theory at the Detroit Conservatory of Music. At age 17, he was touring with a professional band. He has experience with many styles of music from Classical, Modern, and Jazz, to Blues, Rock, Boogie Woogie, and Bluegrass. He’s a vocalist, and an exponent of a number of instruments including piano and keyboards, guitar, flute, bass, harmonica, and others. We’ll have to see what he has in mind; he tends to be a bit impromptu.
You may have seen him on the cover of the March issue of Kirkland Living, our own, Paul Richardson.
8:00–8:45AM Juanita High School Jazz Choir
This ensemble meets every day of the week, before the regular school day begins, arriving at 6:55AM, tuned up and ready to sing! The mix of 9th to 12th graders are all part of this music development group. While some members have been singing since they were wee ones, others are just trying out their singing voices for the first time. They are directed by Lehua Pischke, who has taught in the district off and on for 23 years. The Jazz Choir loves representing Juanita High School and sharing their love of singing, music, and each other, wherever they perform.
9:00–9:45AM Evergreen Middle School Jazz Ensemble
Next up is the Evergreen Middle School’s Jazz Club, directed by Eric Peterson. This energetic group of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders meets once a week at 7AM to learn the form of America’s Music, Jazz. These great kids show up for practice prepared and ready to swing. With a developing repertoire from Latin to Big Band to Heavy Metal, they are stretching their experiences and are excited to share their music.
10:00-10:20AM Thoreau Elementary School Choir
Returning to delight pancake eaters is the Thoreau Elementary Choir, directed by Sharon Frank and accompanied by Kara Markell. This lively group of kids in grades 3 through 5 practices once a week after school and love being part of the Kirkland Community.
10:30-10:50AM Andanta Kirkland Youth Choir
The Andanta Kirkland Youth Choir was formed in 2009 as a non-profit choir to educate children ages 6-11 in vocal performance. Directed by Sue Heale and Natalie Fulton, the choir is now part of the Kirkland Academy of Music and Performance in Totem Lake. Their spring season features songs from The Sound of Music.
11:00-11:45AM Carillon Chamber Choir
The Carillon Chamber Choir was founded by Jim Peterson in 2014, as a youth program of the non-profit Kirkland Academy of Music and Performance, and recently expanded its membership to include singers of all ages. The Choir performs challenging chamber repertoire and is known for its beautiful tone and overall artistry. The choir often appears in concert with its sister ensemble, the Carillon Chamber Orchestra. The choir is proud to have been the headlining choral group for opening ceremony for the Leavenworth Tree Lighting Festival for the past two years, and has been invited back this December. It is one of the largest festivals of its type in the world, with about 15,000 people in attendance.
Their performance for the pancake breakfast will embrace a variety of musical genres and eras, from Renaissance and sacred music to current pop favorites.
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland fully supports and is unified in the belief that fostering leadership and community in our youth is paramount to a child’s successful entry into adult life. KCK is thrilled to host the youth in our community as they explore their talent on stage at the annual Pancake Breakfast, in support of Attain Housing. If you would like more information about The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland and its work in your community, please visit their website at www.kirkland.kiwanis.org.