Performing Arts Winter Concert Series Videos
Summary: Enjoy!
Concert Videos
Bravo! Winter Concert Series Videos!
The Ballard HS Music department is pleased to present its annual tradition of a Winter Concert Series! Each concert highlights performances by the award-winning Orchestras, Bands and Choirs. During the Orchestra and Choir concerts, the Advanced Chorale, Chamber Orchestra, and select members of the Wind Ensemble came together to present Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms.” You won’t want to miss the biggest three musical nights of the year! Now on the Performing Arts YouTube Channel.
Winter Orchestra Concert
Winter Band Concert
Winter Choir Concert
Chichester Psalms
Leonard Bernstein wrote his Chichester Psalms in 1965 in response to a commission by V.R. Walter Hussey, Dean of Chichester Cathedral, Sussex. In July 1965, the piece was premiered by the New York Philharmonic with Bernstein himself conducting, and also at the annual Festival at Chichester Cathedral.
Each of the three movements combines two psalms, drawing from Psalms 108, 100, 23, 2, 131, and 133. Bernstein combined the Christian choral tradition with the Judaic liturgical tradition, and specified the Psalms be sung exclusively in Hebrew. “By combining [these traditions], Bernstein was implicitly issuing a plea for peace in Israel…” The modern piece uses “modal melodies and unusual meters,” to impressive effect. Bernstein characterized it as “popular in feeling,” with “an old-fashioned sweetness along with its more violent moments.” ~ Quotes from the Leonard Bernstein site.
Previous Winter Concert Performance
All Ballard Performing Arts concerts are recorded and posted on the BPA YouTube channel. For an example of what another large-scale choral and orchestra concert is like at Ballard HS, watch selections from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana from the School Year 2019.
Concert Directors
Orchestra Concert, Dec. 12, 2023
Daniel Valdez is the Ballard High School Director of Orchestras. In addition to directing orchestras he plays double bass and guitar in a variety of styles. Mr. Valdez has been directing orchestra programs for over 10 years. He has led successful programs in the San Francisco, Austin, Houston, and Chicago areas. Each orchestra he has led demonstrated musical excellence in a variety of competitions, festivals, clinics, and concerts. Daniel earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Double Bass Performance from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and a Master of Music and Human Learning degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Daniel is originally from Northern California, where his first introduction to performing music was playing electric bass in a garage band with his friends. Immediately falling in love and wanting to learn more, he began studying jazz with a private tutor, eventually transitioning to the double bass and focusing more on performing classical music with orchestras. He has a deep passion for all forms of music and loves nothing more than sharing that with others.
Band Concert, Dec. 13, 2023
Jay Gillespie is in his 4th year of directing at Ballard High School where he directs 3 concert bands, a jazz ensemble, a New Orleans style brass band and a percussion ensemble. Originally form Eagle River Alaska, he graduated high school from Interlochen Arts Academy where he earned a fine arts award for saxophone performance and graduated with honors. He attended the University of Michigan as a classical saxophone performance and jazz and improvisational studies major studying under Donald Sinta and Donald Walden. Upon his departure from Michigan, Mr. Gillespie spent 9 years in the Navy Band playing for audiences exceeding 1.5 million as a clarinet and saxophone instrumentalist. Mr. Gillespie performed in, arranged for, and led multiple ensembles in the Navy Band including jazz combos, jazz ensembles, rock bands, concert bands, marching bands, and brass bands.
After the Navy, Mr. Gillespie attended the University of Washington in Seattle where he earned his degree in music education Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Gillespie was honored with the PTSA teacher of the year award in the 2021-2022 school year and the Ballard bands were featured in a multiple page Seattle Times article that same year. The Ballard Marching Band won best musical/drill entry in the 2021 & 2022 Auburn Veterans Day Parade and the newly formed New Orleans style brass band, Ballard Brass, is the only such group in the Seattle area and is a crowd favorite. Mr. Gillespie lives on the Kitsap peninsula with his wife and two children and performs professionally with multiple ensembles throughout the region.
Choir Concert, Dec. 14, 2023
Courtney Rowley is in her seventeenth year as Director of Choirs at Ballard High School, where she directs the Concert Choir, Advanced Chorale, Treble Choir, Vocal Jazz, Chamber Choir, and Tenor Bass Ensemble, vocal directs the annual musical theatre production and teaches AP Music Theory. Originally from Michigan, she earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Choral Music Education from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. Under her direction, the Ballard choirs have grown from 36 students to over 120 members strong, and have consistently received Superior ratings at both regional and national choral festivals. The BHS Concert Choir was invited to perform at Lincoln Center in 2010 and at Carnegie Hall in 2016 and 2023, as part of the Choirs of America Nationals for Top Choirs Festival. They were also honored to perform by invitation for the NW American Choral Directors Association Conference in 2014. In addition, the Men’s Quartet won 1st place in 2013 and the Choir Concert won 2nd place in 2019 at the WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest. Ms. Rowley was honored by the 5th Avenue 2012 Musical Theatre Awards with nominations for Best Musical Direction and Best Chorus in the state of Washington, and is a past recipient of the Ballard High School Outstanding Educator Award (2010), the Washington State ACDA Outstanding Emerging Choral Director Award (2014), and the Elliott Bay Music Educators Association Outstanding Music Educator of the Year (2017).
About Ballard Performing Arts
The Ballard Performing Art (BPA) Music and Theatre Department is lauded throughout the Northwest and beyond for its high level of musical and performance excellence and supported by the parent run Booster Club. Ballard HS provides one of the most complete high school music programs in Seattle – offering instruction in voice, wind and string instruments spanning jazz to classical. The Theatre Program consistently presents best-in-class plays and musicals.
The award-winning Ballard High School Performing Arts Program has gained regional, national, and international acclaim for their dynamic and inspired performances. The Music Department includes three concert bands, one concert choir, two treble choirs, two concert orchestras, percussion ensemble, two jazz bands, one jazz choir, a fiddle ensemble, and multiple chamber ensembles. We also offer piano and guitar classes as well. Theatre Department offers classes in Technical Theatre, Theatre I and II, and Play Production, while the Ballard Playmakers produce two plays and one musical theatre production each year. Over 400 students – approximately one-fourth of the school – participate in these music and theatre opportunities. Ballard Performing Arts sets a high standard of excellence for all students, ensembles, and productions while developing individual artistry through the study of high-quality repertoire and exceptional performance opportunities. Performances are held in the Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center.
Questions? Ballard Performing Arts Contacts
- Courtney Rowley, Ballard High School Director of Choirs
chrowley@seattleschools.org - Jay Gillespie, Ballard High School Director of Bands
jrgillespie@seattleschools.org - Daniel Valdez, Ballard High School Director of Orchestras
mvaldez@seattleschools.org
