Natasha Miller: Press

ALAMEDA — Daniel O'Neil likes classical music. The 15-year-old likes it so much that last February, he and friends at Encinal High School decided they wanted to form their own chamber music group, even if it meant waking up an hour earlier every Wednesday to practice together.

"Many of us are a part of band, and we wanted more challenging music we all enjoy," said Daniel, who has played the flute since he was 10. "So we decided to form this group together. It means we can also compose our own music."

Luckily, Encinal has money to support its new chamber orchestra, thanks in part to the nonprofit Alameda Education Foundation, which has provided supplemental funding for music and other programs to all 19 Alameda
public schools since 1982.

"What we're trying to create is a well-rounded student, and to meet the interests of students who are not the same as other students," said Encinal Principal Bill Sonneman. "In Daniel's case, they found a niche, and we can respond to it. It's what a school is supposed to do."

For the past five years, AEF has produced successful fund-raising concerts and galas that have brought together East Bay musical talent to benefit music and education programs. The $100,000 AEF has allocated from event proceeds has helped create the popular "Adopt a Classroom" and "I Can Read" programs.

Specifically, the Frederica von Stade and Natasha Miller Fund, created in 2001, earmarks money for
  music teachers to buy instruments and materials. Following the governor's Jan. 10 budget proposals and the $1.6 million in cuts the Alameda Unified School District will make this year, this AEF funding may prove indispensable to the arts and music programs.

For renowned mezzo-soprano and Alameda resident von Stade, known to many fans as "Flicka," who has participated in the events since 1999, the importance of music for children cannot be underestimated.

"I think music is a lifeline," von Stade said. "It's a whole expression of the soul and teaches a child more than playing a piano. It teaches them discipline, order, patience and gives them self-confidence. Often the only reason that music takes prominence in a school
is because there's one group or donor spearheading the effort."

In addition to von Stade, this year the all-volunteer musical lineup includes Michael Morgan, conductor of the East Bay Symphony; cellist Emil Miland, who attended Alameda schools and whose father taught at Alameda schools; violinist Josh Cohen; and local singer and violinist Natasha Miller, who just finished recording previously unrecorded songs by Bobby Sharp. The program will consist of works by Johann Sebastian Bach, including arias and three of his Brandenburg concertos. The event features an auction to pay for instruments needed in the schools.

"The major concerns for schools are instruments and repair and travel to the venues," said Judi Blank, AEF board chairwoman.
  "If we sell the house, we can gross enough to pay for these needs."

Miller would like to provide children with the same opportunity she received in fourth grade when a man played his violin for the entire school and called her up to play for the first time in her life.

"I'm sure I didn't sound very good," Miller said. "But I signed up for music lessons after that. My family would not have been able to afford to buy an instrument for me.

"I later got full music scholarships that paid for college. So it's a Cinderella story, but it does happen," she said.

Now Miller runs her own Alameda company, Entire Productions, sets up private industry events and performs and collaborates with the likes of Sharp.
 

"We hope these concerts will blossom into something that if the state can't pay for these programs, somehow we can help fund more music as a community," she said.

Tickets are available at www.alamedaeducationfoundation.org or by calling 337-1789. The performance is at 8 p.m. Saturday at Auctions by the Bay, 2700 Saratoga Ave., at Alameda Point.