By Cailin Acosta
LA MESA, California — On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, December 17 and 18, La Mesa Arts Academy’s Winter Concert showcased the talents of its middle school musicians, who had spent weeks preparing to perform for family and friends.
At the beginning of the school year, Mario Jativa—conductor of the Jazz Band, Concert Bands, and Orchestra—announced the concert dates. When I realized they landed squarely in the middle of Chanukah, I jokingly remarked that I hoped my house wouldn’t burn down as I lit the chanukiah and still made it to the concert on time. Jativa smiled and shared that he was already planning to include a Chanukah song, and possibly even a Yiddish piece.
When the long-awaited concert arrived, parents and friends filled the auditorium as the Jazz Band opened the evening, immediately setting the mood with toe-tapping, finger-snapping rhythms. The students scatted, improvised, and delivered impressive solos on trumpet—with a wah-wah mute—electric guitar, keyboard, saxophone, and more. The energy was contagious as the students truly rocked the house.
Next, the Concert Band gave way to the Symphonic Orchestra. Comprised of the more advanced seventh- and eighth-grade musicians, the orchestra performed a medley titled “Chanukah Holiday,” weaving together the “Dreidel Song,” “Tum Balalaika”, and “O Chanukah.”
My 13-year-old daughter, CeCe Acosta, proudly wore blue dreidel earrings and Chanukah socks beneath her black concert dress as she plucked strings and guided her violin bow. She later shared that teachers and friends had complimented her earrings and expressed appreciation for how proudly she embraces her Jewish identity.
The concert concluded with a powerful collaboration between the Jazz Band and Symphonic Orchestra, performing an iconic Trans-Siberian Orchestra piece synonymous with the season. Whenever I hear that music, it prompts me to check the calendar, mentally tally what still needs to be finished before winter break, and wonder whether all the holiday shopping is complete. The driving guitar riffs and synchronized violin bows created a stirring finale, while Jativa’s enthusiastic conducting had me tapping along. It also brought back memories of my own performances on that same stage, back when it was still La Mesa Middle School.
As the final notes faded, I was reminded that this is a “year of lasts.” Both twins will be heading to Helix Charter High School next year. This Winter Concert is now part of the memories—closing one chapter, while opening the door to many “years of firsts” yet to come.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.