Orange County Fair Field Trip

Every year the Orange County California Fair has a special day for some very special people, called 'Friends of the Fair' Day. The Hope University students left in a bus on Wednesday, July 21st for a day of Fair fun, food and friends. They went on rides, like the big Ferris Wheel and were able to see many sights. The livestock area was a favorite, with cows, pigs and chickens, also the farm area where they have many different kinds of fruits and vegetables growing year round on the Fairgrounds. Students were also able to do some shopping and as always, lunch down food alley was an adventure. The Hi-Hopes, Hope University's musical performing group played on the big stage to the delight of many.
Firstly we have April Renick enjoying the attentions of a fun time clown while waiting in line at the gate.
Next is Gary Ahearn, one of the talented Hi-Hopes members smiling at the keyboard.
You see the entire Hi-Hopes band performing on the big stage at the Fair. From left to right: Tom Veltman, Richard Groves, Gary Ahearn, Howard Miller, Paul Kuehn, Cathy Acton, Mikki Davis and Lori Reyes.

You Are Invited To A CD Release Party!

You won't want to miss this event. We are hosting a CD Release Party at Steamers Jazz Cafe in Fullerton California to celebrate the completion of the newest Hi Hopes CD. This CD features Paul Kuehn a lead singer in the band. Paul is a musical savant, he is blind and developmentally disabled. Paul was selected for feature on this CD, not only because of his vocal talents, but because he is the reason the band was formed and the Hi Hopes program was developed. This year the band celebrates it's 36th anniversary.
You are invited to attend this exciting event on Saturday, August 16th, at 2:00pm. You will hear Paul and the Hi Hopes perform music from their new CD. Copies of the CD will be for sale, along with other Hi Hopes merchandise. Admission is $5.00 at the door. Funds raised at this event will go to support Hope University.
Steamers Jazz Cafe is located at:
138 W. Commonwealth in Fullerton CA. www.steamersjazz.com
You can contact Hope University for more information (714) 778-4440

Music and Learning

On Tuesday, March 4th, we had a visit from Terrance Laine of Creative Percussion from the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Terrance has many different percussion instruments, several are from around the world and many he has made himself. As he played them he showed us how to make different sounds with each one and gave us fun ideas for making our own percussion instruments. He surprised us with the objects he used to make music, such as an animal jaw bone and a dogs water dish! Several of the students were able to participate on stage and try their hand at creating music through percussion. We learned a lot from Terrance, you can see Cindy H. and Jason R. on stage with him using an interesting instrument made from a gardening tine. Ron L's face says it all as he joins in with his special Alaskan drum.