Harmony Magnet senior participates in prestigious performances

Harmony Magnet Academy senior Joshua Kelsey, son of Debby Kelsey, participated Dec. 2 and 3 in the All-State Orchestra where he was made eighth-chair violist in the California Orchestra Director’s Honor Orchestra at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Kelsey landed a spot among the top eight coveted seats, beating out musicians from major arts preparatory schools and magnet schools from major cities, said Allard, director of the Porterville Combined High School Orchestra and former nine-year orchestra conductor at the University of the Pacific.

“Unlike magnet schools in the major cities, Harmony Academy does not have supplemental staff who come from symphony orchestras to prep students on college solo auditions, technique or honor auditions. Our students, like Joshua, must travel to other cities — Visalia and Bakersfield — to take private lessons they pay for themselves. This one idiosyncrasy alone makes Joshua’s accomplishment unique,” Allard said. “Only three students take private lessons, compared to 100 percent from Stockdale High School, Bakersfield.”

In December, Kelsey went to All-State Orchestra at the University of the Pacific a day early because that was the school he was planning on attending. He sat in a private-conservatory level college class, met the composition professor in the music conservatory who advised him on getting accepted in the Conservatory of Music, and met with the office of financial aid and the office of admissions.

“The next day I started All-state orchestra. I lucked out in the audition because the places they asked me to play is exactly where my private teacher, Galina Andre — first chair in Tulare County Symphony, now playing in the Fresno Philharmonic — said they would be,” Kelsey said. “I placed eighth chair, and basically when you have 20 violas, the first eight to 10 chairs have to play as one. We all were so together that we even breathed together, it was an amazing experience.”

Kelsey began playing the viola at Westfield Elementary in fourth grade. After only a year of playing was invited by his school teacher, Susan Mankins, to play with the Porterville Combined High School Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. After returning from New York, Kelsey stayed on with the high school orchestra. Kelsey, now in his eighth year in the orchestra, is Allard’s assistant for beginning and intermediate orchestra and has learned to play violin and cello. In addition, he plays piano and composes music.

“Only time will tell but I think Joshua could accomplish great things in music,” Allard said. “I have been fortunate to have many students make the top levels of our profession. Joshua is on track to begin the journey if he continues to work hard and keep focused on the dream.”

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @Avila_recorder.