Christmas on the Radio

Frank changes a station on the boom box.

Many shoppers at our Boutique of items handmade by the students.

Joe V. is the driver in the 'car' skit.

Our wonderful Choir.

Jason R. and Chris F. ham it up backstage.

Jason R. and Fred M. perform in a skit.

Joe V. relaxes before the show.

A wonderful light show.

Dancers with lights captured attention.

The light show continued.

Rockin' out to the radio.

Melanie V. and Crystal S. act out a fun skit.

Snowflake Dancers move to the sound of the Bell Choir.

This past December Hope University has it's annual Holiday program at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton California.  The title of the show was 'Christmas on the Radio' and we featured skits, dance and music from different eras.  Some of the students remember their favorite parts of the show:
"Singing in the Choir."  April Renick
"The car skit." Ben Simendinger
"Listening to the Hi-Hopes." Joe Valierie
"Hearing 'Silent Night' sung by the Choir."  Amy Lacher
"I really enjoy rehearsal and the anticipation of performing." Chris Friedman
"I like being in the sign language part."  Darren Petersen
We all had a wonderful show.  

Christmas by Candlelight, Act I

Ben and Melanie are excited to start the show.

Our Hope Boutique features fine crafted items for sale, all made by the students.

Darren, Carol, Alexis and April open the show with the Chimers group playing 'Silver Bells'.

Dena's lovely voice sings 'Song for a Winter's Night' as Christie dances in the background.

A traditional Korean fan dance is transformed for the season with 'In My Christmas Dreams'.

'Silent Night' featured Ron singing in Inuit, the vocal choir with the sign language class interpreting.

Our trio of Tom, Paul and Howard under the direction of Steve Enzweiler sang 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'.

Paul rocks the drums on 'Feliz Navidad'.

Fred shows us his joyful accordion with 'Jingle Bells'.

All of the students participate enthusiastically in the first half finale.

Hope University presents it's annual Christmas Show for 2011 titled 'Christmas by Candlelight'.  This program is one of Hope's yearly highlights and this year we were underwritten by several generous donors to be able to use the historic Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton California.  Any and all students who choose to perform are included in the program.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Hope to showcase the students many talents.  We have a hand bell choir, a singing choir, a men's choir group the Hi-Hopes musical group.  There is a drama group, the sign language group and several dancing groups who all were able to have a part in the show.  This is a sampling of the first half of this years program beautifully photographed by Eric Stoner.

Celebrating Our Volunteers

The Hand Bells Perform.

Kim M. on keyboard and Dena S. singing.

A dramatic moment for Cindy H. and Jason R.

Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn, speak about volunteering.

Nick Latimer, board member and volunteer.

Matt Sauer, Hope University Board President.

Michelle E., Carol R. and Mikki D. in a drama performance.

Waiting to go on stage.

On Thursday, February 24th, Hope University honored last year's volunteers with a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration.
The Hi-Hopes performed, the Hand Bells and Chimes were rung, the Choir, Glee and Ensemble classes and the Drama class performed.  We recognized our volunteers with a gift and many 'thank yous'.
Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn spoke to us about helping at the mural, Nick Latimer, a board member, told us of the fun he is having here as a volunteer and the board president, Matt Sauer, spoke about his experiences with our program. 
We do appreciate our many volunteers and hope to see many more in 2011.
Thank You Volunteers!

Medium Diversity

Hope University's curriculum is art centered.  We offer many different ways to learn with and through the arts.  We offer several music classes, poetry and writing along with visual arts such as drawing, painting, printmaking and fiber art.
Some of the students favorites are:
"I like to do mosaics and sculpture."  Fred M.
"Using the knitting loom." Ana P.
"Designing products for us to make and sell in our Boutique." Margaret K.
"Drawing and carving linoleum block prints."  Tanette T.
"Knitting and creating things with yarn, like purses and products for our Boutique." Lori Slikker.
"Performing on stage, doing drama and learning how to play the drums. " Chris F.

Darren in the cabin of his helicopter sculpture.

The helicopter sculpture.

Darren explaining how things work in his interactive helicopter sculpture

Here we have some photos of  Hope U student, Darren P.  He is showing us his large sculpture of a helicopter.  Darren's favorite medium is cardboard and masking tape.  He creates his large sculptures over a wooden frame and includes electronics.  He likes to do the wiring and circuits so he can see things light up and move.  Darren has created many sculptures, one being the 'Robot' which we use in the 'Beau Monde Float' performances.  Darren's abilities are explored here at Hope U. with visual art as well as the written word.  He has written several poems, including 'Cleaning up the Drive-Thru at Taco Bell' featured in the 'Very Special Arts' exhibition and the CORE 6 show.