A family feast of pancakes and music, from left, Jonah and Michelle Barty, Noah, Melissa, Emma and Spencer Walch.
By Lori BODNAR
Harmonious notes and delicious smells wafted through the air at the 11TH Annual Rosemont Pancake Breakfast Concert the Saturday morning. Over a thousand people attended to enjoy the delicious pancakes and listen to melodious live music. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold. The breakfast was also just right–warm pancakes, hot sausage and hot coffee, plus cool orange slices and cold orange juice. Everything tasted scrumptious! Plus, the pancakes were “unlimited,” so any patrons still hungry for more could go back to a separate “more pancakes” line, then enjoy the fluffy flapjacks while being sweetly serenaded by the various music groups. Rosemont student volunteers were on hand to help bus the tables, and make sure that maple syrup, strawberry syrup, and butter were available on every table. The food lines moved fast and smoothly thanks to an army of parent volunteers.
In addition to the delicious food, patrons were treated to a medley of amazing music. The student groups which performed were String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Advanced Strings, Concert Band, Chorus, and Jazz Band, all under the direction of music teacher and conductor Mr. Rodney Yonkers. There are 220 students in the music program. Mr. Yonkers said, “A history teacher, Mr. McGinnis, first started the Pancake Breakfast to raise money for a spring history tour every year. I think he did it for about seven years before me. I decided to add the Concert element to have an early musical goal to shoot for, and to let parents hear what we do in class. We only had six and a half weeks to prepare. We use the money raised from the Pancake Breakfast Concert to buy new instruments and music. Also, half of every ticket each student sells goes toward helping them pay for their end-of-year Catalina Island Trip.”
There was a wide range of music genres presented, so there was plenty of music for everyone to enjoy. Pieces included “America the Beautiful,” “We Will Rock You” and “Take me Out to the Ball Game” by the Wind Ensemble. The Advanced Strings played “Tomorrow,” “Armed Forces Tribute” and “West Side Story”. The listening crowd was impressed with the talent of the various groups, especially since they’ve only been practicing together for a few short weeks.
“You were fantastic, and I hope through this success you now see and believe a little more clearly what you are capable of and keep pushing yourselves this year and the rest of your life in whatever you do,” Yonkers said to his students following the concert.
In a message to families Yonkers stated, “What an incredible day. I am still going over in my mind all that happened and am so incredibly blessed to be the music director at such a fine school in such a great community. The weather was beautiful, the volunteers did a great job and the students’ performances were top notch. I couldn’t have been prouder. If people came to this event not knowing what we do at Rosemont as a family and music department, this was a fabulous representation of who we are. Honor, Excellence and Pride were evident everywhere.”
Many of the attendees were parents or family of Rosemont Middle School students but there were also scores of people from the community who came to hear the fabulous music, taste the delicious food, and support the music program at Rosemont. Tickets for the unlimited pancake breakfast and musical feast were only $5. Jennifer Freemon, the Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) Board President, enjoyed the event.
“It is an amazing turnout. Even people who don’t have music students can enjoy the Pancake Breakfast. It is a nice community event. Our area loves a good pancake breakfast. This wonderful event is a showcase of our community and demonstrates how amazing the programs are in our GUSD schools,” Fremon said.
Kimberly Mathias, a 10th grade English teacher at Crescenta Valley High School, came to the Pancake Breakfast to support her child, Lyons Mathias, and the Rosemont music program. Lyons is 1st violin in Advanced Strings at Rosemont.
“I think that Mr. Yonkers is a miracle worker. I was so impressed by the professionalism. It’s only been 6 weeks and they are amazing.” Mathias said.
Her colleague, CVHS English teacher Charlotte Greenway also expressed her enjoyment of the fabulous concert.
Eighth-grader Aubrey Strong was another performer at the Pancake Breakfast. Her mom, Leticia Strong, is a professional viola player in the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Aubrey is following in her mom’s musical footsteps, except with a different instrument. Aubrey commented that she tried out several instruments before choosing the one for her.
“I play oboe in Concert Band. Concert Band is a good group. I started learning oboe in fifth grade. My favorite musical pieces that we played today were “Deep River” and “Music Man,” Aubrey said.
The event was a fun community and family affair. Melissa Walch and her family attended.
“This is our ninth year going to the pancake breakfast at Rosemont. It gets better every year. We love Mr. Yonkers and the music program. It is the best,” Walch said.
Her child, Noah Walch, performed at the breakfast in the Concert Band.
Noah remarked, “I play the baritone in Concert Band. I like playing the baritone because it is a lower or bass-sounding instrument, but baritone can still play the high notes just like the trumpet,” Noah said.
Michelle Barty and her son Jonah were also at the event.
“I like playing the trumpet. I joined Concert Band because I want to be in the Marching Band when I get to high school,” Jonah said.
The Rosemont Pancake Breakfast Concert was a successful community event. There was also a rummage and jewelry sale put on by parent groups. All proceeds from the event went to support Rosemont music programs.
Rosemont Middle School’s next concerts are a Winter Concert on December 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. The band also will also be playing in the Montrose Christmas Parade on December 7. The choir will sing at a choral festival at Glendale High School next Thursday, along with other choirs from around Los Angeles.
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