Celebration Concert

commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the Silhouettes

The Andrews Academy Alumni Celebration concerts contained a variety of selections, from Bach to Bluegrass. The programs commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the school’s select choir, The Silhouettes.

Established in 1966, The Silhouettes have performed throughout the Midwest, along the east coast from Massachusetts to Florida, and in Canada. They have appeared on local and national television programs and received first-place awards in local high school vocal group competitions. More than 80 former Silhouette members will travel from across the nation to perform in the alumni celebration concert. Three members of the original choir are participating in the concert—Dena Umek, Carol Chaffee Lewis and Stan Detweiler.

	DIRECTOR: ROSALYN MORGAN-UPSHAW After receiving her first two degrees in Vocal & Choral Music and Music Education, Upshaw spent the next 12 years teaching at Pacific Union College Prep School, Lynwood Academy, Andrews Jr. Academy and Andrews Academy. Upon returning to California, she taught voice at Santa Clara University and worked as music education curriculum specialist in the Evergreen School District in San Jose, Calif. In 1982, she returned to school and received a master’s degree from California State University at Hayward in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Instructional Leadership. She has been a principal on the elementary, middle school and high school levels. In partnership with the University of California, she has worked with a variety of public school administrators to assist them with the task of improving their schools and closing the achievement gap between socioeconomic groups. Her career in education culminated with the creation of Hercules Middle and High School where she was the founding principal. Rosalyn has been a soloist and performer with many major choral groups, including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, under the direction of internationally known conductor Roger Wagner. Although she has given many solo recitals and performances, her major performance genre has been choral master works. After 37 years in education, she retired in June of 2005. Her return to Andrews Academy is filled with delight as she looks forward to visiting with many friends, former students and colleagues.
The Silhouette performances were complimented by selections presented by the following notable alumni musicians:
	BILL YOUNG ('78) Bill began studying Suzuki violin at age 10, and found a love for music. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education majoring in violin and voice at Southern Adventist University. He is also self-taught on the guitar and mandolin. He has performed with the New England Youth Ensemble, the Heritage Singers, Steve Hall and the Shotgun Red Band on the General Jackson, and the Riverboat Ramblers on the Southern Belle. In a proud moment for him, Bill was a guest vocalist at Ronald Reagan’s 1981 presidential inauguration. Bill was the very first Grand Award winner of TNN’s Be A Star. This led to several appearances on The Nashville Network (TNN), along with his own 30-minute television special: On Stage with Bill Young. Known as The Smoky Mountain Music Man, Bill’s music is diverse, ranging from country to pop to impressions, but he always draws special attention to his gospel music. Bill’s CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase between 7-8 p.m. Saturday in the Academy Commons. To schedule Bill Young Gospel Concerts or Family Secular Variety Shows or to order Bill’s CDs or DVDs, please use the following contact information: WEB: www.billyoungmusic.com EMAIL: alwaysbeyoung@charter.net MAIL: PO Box 6746, Sevierville, TN 37864
	CHRISTINE (TAYLOR) CASTILLO ('82) Christine Castillo, a multi-faceted musician, began piano studies at the age of five, followed by violin lessons at age 10, flute lessons at age 13 and voice lessons at age 15. She has continued with her piano and vocal studies and is currently pursuing her vocal performance degree from the University of Maryland where she studies with internationally renowned soprano, Linda Mabbs. Christine is currently employed at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. as soloist/section leader and she manages a diverse voice and piano studio. Last summer she toured England and Wales where she competed in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. A sought-after soloist, her recent engagements have included Vivaldi’s Gloria in Takoma Park, Md., and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with performances in College Park and Silver Spring, Md. Engagements for the 2008–09 season include soloist in Faure’s Requiem, soloist in Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, both to take place at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Also planned for the 2008–09 season, a recital of sacred Baroque music at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, College Park, Md., and a recital of 17th century Spanish art songs, Washington, D.C. Christine, her husband, Abel, and their two daughters reside in Columbia, Md.
	JANELLE OLSON ('86) The scope of Janelle Olson’s performance experience is notable. She has held the position of Principal Flute with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the Utah Festival Opera and played with the New World Symphony. She has made solo performances with each of these orchestras as well as the Chamber Orchestra of Florida and with John Rutter conducting his Suite Antique in Carnegie Hall. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, and the New England Conservatory with Distinction in Performance, Janelle has been winner and soloist in numerous competitions and music festivals.
	LAURICE (SIMMONS) KENNEL ('89) Soprano Laurice Simmons Kennel was born and raised in Niles, Mich. Kennel attended Michigan State University for her bachelor’s degree in Music, later relocating to Colorado where she received her master’s degree in Music from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Laurice has performed a wide range of operatic roles. She has sung the role of Mimi (La Boheme), Micaela (Carmen), Donna Anna (Don Giovanni), Violetta (La Traviata), Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica) and the mother in Hansel and Gretel. Last year Kennel made her debuts with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and New York City Opera. In addition to her operatic pursuits, she is an avid recitalist and church musician.
	WAYNE SHEPPERD ('77) Wayne Shepperd, bass-baritone, has sung throughout the United States, China and Europe in recital, opera and oratorio performances. He has appeared at the Los Angeles Opera, Opera San Jose, the Mormon Tabernacle, Carnegie Hall and the nationally televised Hour of Power with Robert Schuller as well as the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. In addition, he has performed with the Riverside Master Chorale, the Desert Chorale, the Claremont Chorale, the Los Angeles Camerata, Canto Bello Chorale and the Angeles Chorale. Shepperd has worked with such noted conductors as Donald Neuen, H. Vincent Mitzelfelt, Michael Deane Lamkin, Jon Robertson, Eliza Rubenstein and Greg Norton. Among his engagements for the 2008–2009 season are Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s B Minor Mass, Faure’s Requiem, Kirke Mechem’s Songs of the Slave, about the life of abolitionist-orator, Frederick Douglass, with the Gulf Coast Symphony, the Brahms Requiem, the Verdi Requiem, and Rossini’s Stabat Mater.
	5 FOR GRACE 5 for Grace came together spontaneously in 2007 when the members were asked to play at their church in Stevensville, Mich. After a few impromptu performances that were very well received, they made the decision to become an official band. The group consists of Eryca Nelson (vocals, guitar, violin), Bob Nelson (’74) (upright bass, guitar, vocals), Lee Olson (guitar), Betty (Tabakovic) Oakley (’83) (vocals, piano), and Charlie Curnutt (mandolin). Their repertoire is a mixture of original pieces, hymns, bluegrass, folk and contemporary music. Together the members lend their individual talents to form a dynamic group whose goal is to draw their listeners closer to God through their music.