THE VIEW FROM HERE-Recently, when I was attending a City Council Meeting in the City of San Fernando, we were all fêted by a violin ensemble presented by the Kadima Conservatory. It featured four adults and two 9-year old, elementary school twins who wowed us with their virtuosity. The musical performance was unexpected for most of us, but both the Council and the attendees were delighted that we had the opportunity to listen to their classical fare.
Their closing piece, “Son of Puzsta (the Russian steppes—broad, flat grasslands)” by Bela Keler, nearly brought me to tears. Not only did the music touch the heart, but because it is so reminiscent of Russian/Jewish music, it brought an immediate connection for me and many other listeners.
I was so impressed that I had to find out more about them. Sadly, our public schools often fall short in their fine arts offerings. Kadima, however, has stepped in as a non-profit group to promote the musical arts for students of all ages (4 through old age), particularly for those who would otherwise not have access to classical and popular music and/or have the personal funds to obtain training and exposure through recitals. It also offers an outstanding summer program that really helps students spread their wings.
Kadima was founded in 1985 by its present Director, Beth Elliott. Her own home was converted to studios for instruction, practice, and presentation. The word, “kadima,” comes from Biblical Hebrew and has a number of meanings, but essentially its connotation is that of moving forward, moving ahead, being first—being the role model.
The organization supports the belief “that music is a common language that promotes a harmony transcending race, ethnicity, age, and gender.” Kadima believes that it is incumbent upon any artist (and especially musicians) to pass on their skills and traditions--make the world a better place through music! From ancient times to the present, music has emanated from the soul and must be expressed.
The Conservatory believes “that music is an educational discipline that enhances the intellectual and physical development of its students … and provides (them) psychological and emotional consolation as well as personal growth.”
One example of Kadima’s commitment to children is its work with Van Gogh Street Elementary School in Granada Hills. It has taken this school under its wing by offering classes in strings, winds, orchestra, and ensemble music. Students representing all levels of ability work with the Conservatory and the String Quartet through an after-school program.
The Kadima staff has witnessed great success among its diverse pupils and has seen a pattern develop: the earlier that music becomes an integral part of one’s life, the more success is reached educationally. More young people who have a musical foundation finish school, enter college, and become successful in any number of careers (although many do make some aspect of music a part of their professional lives) than those who are not exposed to music’s many facets.
Though there are fees for many of its programs, scholarships are available and awarded on merit and need. Many students become so proficient that awards are given out in a number of categories, often delivering private lessons and full endowments. The programs additionally offer the opportunity for original composition, music recording, and publishing.
What brought Kadima to the San Fernando City Council was not only the opportunity to perform before the council and the audience but to pursue the possibility of forming a partnership between the City and the Conservatory. This motion will be put up to a vote next month and looks like it will be unanimously approved.
Beth Elliott wants to draw attention to the Northeast San Fernando Valley (an area often overlooked and ignored by the rest of Los Angeles) and particularly the City of San Fernando. She would like to make the City a Mecca for the arts. One dream is an eventual Performing Arts Center situated in this Laguna Hills-like community. It would be a place to display Fine Arts, Mariachi, Kadima, and musical training and performance.
For budgetary reasons, Kadima lost its home at Valley Community College where it had been for some 20 years and thus is in need of a new one. San Fernando is very receptive and excited about the idea. That City can become a cultural enclave for the entire Valley, let alone LA City and County.
Presently, Kadima is rehearsing upstairs in the Aquatic Center at SF Recreation Park. The room can accommodate about 200 people—musicians and audiences. It needs a permanent home. As a self-supporting non-profit, it is not asking the City for money but a quid pro quo of a home for musical exposure to the community.
I had the wonderful opportunity to sit in on rehearsals of three of their groups: the beginning strings ensemble, the intermediate orchestra, and the advanced orchestra. All were amazing! And the results--the beginners struck me as being more advanced than those in the average high school or even some colleges programs. It was a joy to listen to the tapestry of violins, cellos, clarinets, trombones, trumpets, French horns, bassoons, flutes, tympani and snare drums, and symbols.
One diminutive little 5-year old girl stood out to me as she strummed her little peanut of a cello. I didn’t know they made instruments that small! She was so intent on learning everything she could from the adults who were equally eager to give her a helping hand—cultivating her talents to become better and more confident at the same time.
The conductors reminded me of a mix of drill sergeant and Mary Poppins (you know, “a little bit of sugar helps the medicine go down”), impressing upon these students of all ages, genders, and ethnicities that if they are going to play successfully together, they have to learn how to breathe and play as one.
I loved the cacophony of the warm-up period. It had a rhythm of its own.
Then the actual rehearsals, with its sounds dipping low and then rising to a resounding crescendo, couldn’t help but excite the senses. The contrapuntal phrases remind the listener of ground trembling, rumbling, and threatening from below until a volcanic eruption releases the energy to create an ultimate peace.
The groups played classical interpretations of a variety of Lady Gaga’s lively and lithe numbers. Moving, heart-grabbing pieces from the film, The Hobbit, challenged the senses and made the listener wonder what would happen next as the lilting rhythms wove their stories, creating both a sense of urgency and great expectation. The horns led the way as tympanic exclamations dotted the refrains. Other pieces were practiced as well in anticipation of an upcoming Saturday concert.
All this leads one to ask, What would theatre (and even movies and television) be like without the direction to which music carries us? What about the background music that we associate with Steinbeck’s “Song of the Family”?
The gentle but firm coaching was able to conjure up, out of that mix of fledgling and advanced musicians, magical musical images, rhythms, and tones. Even so, the sounds that seemed so lovely to me (a mere lay person) were often unsatisfactory to the experts. Thus, the repetitions and drills and masterful advice—over and over again—summoned a prowess that would make the angelic chorus in heaven proud.
There is so much talent and diligence displayed. These students were totally immersed by the experience and yet most were amateurs in training. Some artists played in more than one group and on more than one instrument. The soulful skills captured by these novitiates will be passed on to new generations, a goal of this conservatory. If given the opportunity, Kadima can make this happen for the entire Valley community.
I recently spoke of the Pacoima Wash Renovation Project. That is the kind of place that could feature chamber and ensemble music along with outdoor arts programs. Can you imagine what a luscious draw such a place would be for the greater community?! Young people and old, amateurs and professionals can showcase their artistry. What an exceptional opportunity for the Northeast Valley—a place too often overlooked for such cultural displays but ready to change your mind about itself, what music is, and what it can do.
More info:
● 818-780-9596
● Kadima can also be found on Facebook and You Tube.
(Rosemary Jenkins is a Democratic activist and chair of the Northeast Valley Green Coalition. Jenkins has written Leticia in Her Wedding Dress and Other Poems, A Quick-and-Easy Reference to Correct Grammar and Composition and Vignettes for Understanding Literary and Related Concepts. She also writes for CityWatch.)
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 12 Issue 25
Pub: Mar 25, 2014