Orinda Celebrates Annual EFO Arts and Music Showcase
By Katharine Kates (submitted by Sandra McGonigle)
Photo Christina Shook
Once they stopped laughing, many in the audience may have begun soul-searching after watching "Beware of Over-Parenting," a spoof of type A-style parenting, written and performed by Will Rhodes, a member of Miramonte's Public Speaking team in the category Original Prose and Poetry. Certainly no one in the audience at this, or any of the other incredible performances at EFO's Celebration of the Arts, left without being awed by the depth and breadth of talent displayed by students in the Orinda schools. This annual event was held on March 28, 2010, at the Orinda Intermediate School. Hosted by the Educational Foundation of Orinda (EFO) and sponsored by Mechanics Bank, it is designed to showcase the visual and performing arts programs at all six Orinda schools. EFO has funded visual and performing arts as well as academic programs through generous donations from the community for the past 30 years.
Kicking off the evening, singers and instrumentalists gave a concert in the gym. Among the memorable tunes were a rousing "Lean on Me," performed by a combined chorus of Fourth and Fifth graders from all four elementary schools, folk songs from Cuba and Ireland performed by the OIS Symphonic Orchestra, and "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay, performed by the Miramonte Choral Artists. The visual arts occupied the multi-purpose room. A wide range of images were on view, from window-like drawings demonstrating a mastery of one-point perspective, to woodworking, sculpture, digital photography and even video production. As they perused the art, viewers listened to the up-tempo Miramonte Jazz Combo, featuring standards such as "Summertime" and "25 or 6 to 4." Not to be missed, Miramonte's Drama and Public Speaking departments also gave performances, including a preview of the upcoming production of the Odd Couple, which left the audience in stitches. To learn more about the various programs funded by EFO please visit www.orindaefo.org
Kicking off the evening, singers and instrumentalists gave a concert in the gym. Among the memorable tunes were a rousing "Lean on Me," performed by a combined chorus of Fourth and Fifth graders from all four elementary schools, folk songs from Cuba and Ireland performed by the OIS Symphonic Orchestra, and "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay, performed by the Miramonte Choral Artists. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA