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Blog archive

November 2024

Event of Remembrance
11/22/2024

Phishing Scams: What You Need to Know
11/22/2024

Pupusas Family Style: Another Adventurous Dining Winner
11/22/2024

Celebrating the Holidays
11/21/2024

Genealogy Group: Discovering Our Pasts
11/21/2024

Nathan Wolford – From Tragedy to Ministry
11/21/2024

Pasadena Village Board of Directors: A Brief Overview
11/21/2024

President's Message
11/21/2024

The Day of the Dead (Dia de muertos)/ Mexican Culture/Community
11/21/2024

Vintage Celebration: Aging Like a Fine Wine
11/21/2024

Review of Racism in Our Local Past
11/20/2024

Creative Juices Flow in The Village
11/19/2024

Checking In by Ed Rinderle
11/15/2024

Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo
11/15/2024

I Shall Forget You Presently, My Dear (Sonnet IV) by Edna St. Vincent Millay
11/15/2024

Pictures From Brueghel by William Carlos Williams
11/15/2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

PASADENA CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

By Blog Master
Posted: 08/20/2022
Tags:

The Pasadena Conservatory of Music Open House


On the afternoon of August 14, about a dozen Pasadena Village members met at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music to gather information on what the venue has to offer. The Conservatory, located on North Hill Avenue, is housed in a lovely old building, built back in 1929 in the Mediterranean Eclectic style. As we Villagers gathered, a common theme arose: “I've lived in the area for years and didn't know this place existed.” At the end of our time there, we knew that we had discovered a treasure.


The program began with introductory remarks from Stephen McCurry, the Conservatory's Executive Director for the past 30 years. Stephen shared with us some basic information about the Conservatory. It was founded in 1984 and moved to the current Hill Avenue site in 2000. It offers classes for students from preschool age up through retired adults and beyond, including private lessons for all ages. (Note that scholarships are available as needed.) Furthermore, the Conservatory has adopted Longfellow Elementary School, teaching music classes to students from pre-Kindergarten to Fifth grade.


In addition to the classes, the Conservatory gives concerts which are open to the public. The concerts are free except for three special events each year, which require the purchase of tickets.


Stephen then turned the program over to Rachael Doudrick. Among her several duties, Rachael is the Department Chair of Adult Studies. She reviewed some of the classes available for adults, which include:


Chamber music for strings, flute, or guitar

Jazz combos

Orff ensemble (For an example, see below.)

Recorder - Baroque to Folk

Ukulele, beginner and intermediate

World Music (Mariachi, Latin percussion, drum circle)

Music history and music appreciation


Rachael described the teaching staff as excellent, supporting camaraderie among the students and flexibility as needed. The teachers embrace the opportunity to teach adults, even if they are just beginners.  


Perhaps the highlight of our visit came next as Rachael led us in an audience participation exercise. First, she read a rhythmic poem entitled Foot-She-Put (derived from Hatshepsut, female Pharaoh of Egypt). Then she invited several volunteers from the audience to join her, instructing them on the use of some tubano drums. (The drums are similar to conga drums.) Next, she enlisted more volunteers to add “egg shakers” to the mix. (The shakers are similar to maracas, only smaller.) Calling on still more volunteers, she gave a brief lesson on how to strum a particular chord on the ukulele. Taken together, the result was a mini-orchestra in the Orff style! What fun we had as we beat, shook, and strummed to Rachael's lead! Finally, Rachael raised the exercise to new heights by replacing her reading with some improvisation on the recorder. Wow!


Throughout her presentation, Rachael's warmth, enthusiasm, and humor captured us in an experience we will long remember.


After some final remarks, we were dismissed for refreshments and a self-guided tour of one of the two story buildings on the campus. We visited classrooms, a second concert hall, and several other rooms of varying purposes. Embedded in the inner part of the structure, we found a beautiful courtyard decked with trees and a fountain.


Rachael's words at the end of her presentation provide an excellent summary of our experience. When she reached her 50s, she found she had the time to fulfill a dream and go for a Masters’ degree. As the first class of the program met, she was greeted by a room full of 20-somethings with the words “Oh, a late bloomer!” Rachael was not too fond of the remark, but her counter was right on target: “I'm not a late bloomer. I'm Ever Blooming!”


 Are you an “Ever Bloomer”? If not, would you like to become one? If so, the Pasadena Conservatory of Music may be just what you are looking for.


For more information on the Conservatory, including the classes offered and a calendar of concerts and events, please visit Pasadena Conservatory of Music . Alternatively, you are welcome to pick up a brochure on the classes or to call (626) 683- 3355.  

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