12-19-05 The show, a holiday gift from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the community at large, is FREE, as is the parking under the Music Center. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Patrons may come and go throughout the six hour performance. Reservations for tickets to the show or parking are not necessary. The show will also be broadcast live on KCET, Channel 28.
Holiday Celebration information is available by calling 213-972-3099 or online at www.holidaycelebration.org .
For Harmonic Bronze, a handbell choir made up of Acton and Agua Dulce area students, 2005 has been an achievement-filled year. The six-year-old group was honored Tuesday by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Based on the recommendation of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Board of Supervisors annually recognizes a performing group that previously has made an outstanding contribution to the annual County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Harmonic Bronze was among the featured performers at the 2003 and 2004 Holiday Celebrations. They were chosen to perform this year. "Being selected to perform at this event is an honor in and of itself, but to also be recognized by the Board of Supervisors is just amazing," said High Desert School sixth-grade teacher Larry Rowland, who founded the group in 1999. Harmonic Bronze will be among more than 40 musical ensembles, choirs and dance companies slated to perform at the 46th annual Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Christmas Eve. The event, which is free to the public, will be aired live on KCET (Channel 28) from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Harmonic Bronze is scheduled to perform at 6:15 p.m. Other local groups slated to perform the Gospel Music Workshop of America of the Antelope Valley, which is scheduled to perform between 3 and 4 p.m., and the Antelope Valley High School travel ensemble, between 4 and 5 p.m.
The handbell choir will be performing "Capriccio," an energetic and rhythmic piece composed by Kevin McChesney. "We chose 'Capriccio' because it reflects those feelings of excitement and anticipation that surround the holidays," said Rowland. This will be the choir's most challenging performance yet because the young ringers will be playing strictly from memory without any printed music to follow, he said.
Harmonic Bronze members who will be performing at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion are: Drew Engler; Megan Fisher; Kelsie Hitchler; Nick Loporchio; Kayla Micale; Andy Moore; Crosby Morgan; Kristina McClendon; Alannah Pique; Heather Rouse; Jeffrey Stonerook; Katie Synnott; Megan Wipff; Karisa Wymer; and Jenna Whitney. Harmonic Bronze, which is funded solely through donations, recently received a much-needed $1,500 grant. Provided by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the grant was presented by 5th District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.
The group, hoping to raise enough money to fund a Northern California performance tour this coming summer, is currently selling license-plate frames reading "Harmonic Bronze" on top and "Celebrate Music!" on the bottom. The frames, which cost $5, can be purchased through any current Harmonic Bronze member, or by contacting Rowland at High Desert School at (661) 269-0310 . Additionally, the group has produced two CDs that also are available for purchase.