MFMII produces children showcase concerts at local colleges and other professional stage venues providing our students unique opportunities for performance in the community. In 1996, MFMII first introduced the Children's Showcase Concert. Ever since, the students have had the thrill of performing at several professional stage venues in the East Bay Area. Guided by their docents, the students meticulously practice to perform for large audiences of over 500 community members. The concert often includes themed music, musical instruments, well-curated props, visual effects and sign language.
MFMII produces children showcase concerts at local colleges and other professional stage venues providing our students unique opportunities for performance in the community. In 1996, MFMII first introduced the Children's Showcase Concert. Ever since, the students have had the thrill of performing at several professional stage venues in the East Bay Area. Guided by their docents, the students meticulously practice to perform for large audiences of over 500 community members. The concert often includes themed music, musical instruments, well-curated props, visual effects and sign language.
Children's performances build self-confidence and children get a chance to share their musical gifts with others. In a recent article, education and media company, Scholastic, quotes research saying that children who sing/dance/act/play their little hearts out are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement compared to their non-performing friends. They tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development.
Email [email protected] for more information on volunteering to help on showcase events.
Email [email protected] for more information on volunteering to help on showcase events.
This year, the MFMII Children's Showcase Concert celebrated the theme ‘United We Sing’. The sold out concert was held on Sunday, April 28, 2024, from 3 to 4.30pm at Castro Valley Centre for the Arts. The showcase featured almost 200 students from MFMII schools as well as the MFMII kids choir and Minna Fu, an outstanding pianist and MFMII's youngest docent. We also announced the winners of the MFMII's Got Talent, Season 2 contest. Winners received recognition and medals for their video submissions. All the children in the concert received a certificate and a United We Sing bag, book, bookmark and coupon. Congratulations to all the performers on a wonderful concert.
MFMII would like to thank MC Brandon Sass for his time and amazing talent which to our surprise included some stand-up comedy and fabulous footwork as he joined Board President Lori Moitie, Board member RJ and Carol Zilli as they led the audience singing in partner songs: This Little Light of Mine and You Are My Sunshine. A huge thank you to all the showcase sponsors listed below which
supported our successful event.
Thank You To Our Showcase 2024 Sponsors
MFMII Kids Choir
Music for Minors II's choral arm, the MFMII Kids Choir, includes 60 talented students from Fremont, Newark, Hayward, and Union City schools. Ably helmed by Mrs. Lydia Concepcion - a talented musician, a privatepiano/vocal teacher, and a former MFMII docent, the choir has been singing their hearts out since October 2015. Professional musician and Mrs. Concepcion's spouse, Red Concepcion serves as the accompanist to the choir.
Lauded for their outstanding performances and stunning choreography, the choir has been practicing hard for their upcoming performances at the FEF Gala and for their annual Sing For Spring Concert at Niles Elementary on May 10. The choir will resume in the fall and be open to new members. Those interested in joining, please email us at [email protected] or visit our website. |
Minna Fu - Pianist
Meet Minna Fu, age 15, MFMII's youngest docent. She teaches music to 2nd graders at Brier Elementary. In 2022, she obtained a performance diploma of Licentiate of Royal Schools of Music with distinction. She has performed at music festivals, graduations, church fundraisers, and senior centers. She served as a choir accompanist at Thomas Hart Middle School for 3 years and has won various piano competitions. In 2019, she was invited to perform at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. She also plays piano on her own YouTube channel for her fans to view worldwide.
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CHILDREN SHINED AND SANG THEIR HEARTS OUT
It was an amazing event on Saturday, March 25, 2023 when 200 children in Kindergarten through 5th grade in FUSD, NUSD and MUSD schools, took to the stage at the James Logan Performing Arts Center for the MFMII Children's Showcase Concert 2023. Carol Zilli, Executive Director and Founder of MFMII was the MC assisted by 9 year old Bella Dong who has her own YouTube channel, "Sing With Bella".
The MFMII Kids Choir sharply dressed in their black and white kids choir tshirts prepared the audience for the show with their openers "Get Up" and "Enjoy The Show!" Then the curtain was raised for the exciting "We Are Making Music" opener which included all the grades and some docents on instruments. They sang and signed the lyrics which sent the message loud and clear that MFMII is still making music with children in need in our 35th year of service!
Following the opening, each grade level performed their special song directed by their MFMII Docent including patriotic, spring and empowering song themes and ending with 2 songs that definitely pulled on your heart strings: "The World Is A Rainbow" and "You Can Make A Miracle". The audience joined in the musical fun by getting up and dancing in front of their seats to an "Irish Jig" led by Docent and Recruitment Coordinator, Ashwini Konambi.
Thanks to the wonderful support of parent and community volunteers, high school students earning community service hours, and the MFMII Showcase/Staff team, the concert was timely and on beat! Pictures convey the joyful participants. Click here for the slideshow of all the photos (PDF).
The MFMII Kids Choir sharply dressed in their black and white kids choir tshirts prepared the audience for the show with their openers "Get Up" and "Enjoy The Show!" Then the curtain was raised for the exciting "We Are Making Music" opener which included all the grades and some docents on instruments. They sang and signed the lyrics which sent the message loud and clear that MFMII is still making music with children in need in our 35th year of service!
Following the opening, each grade level performed their special song directed by their MFMII Docent including patriotic, spring and empowering song themes and ending with 2 songs that definitely pulled on your heart strings: "The World Is A Rainbow" and "You Can Make A Miracle". The audience joined in the musical fun by getting up and dancing in front of their seats to an "Irish Jig" led by Docent and Recruitment Coordinator, Ashwini Konambi.
Thanks to the wonderful support of parent and community volunteers, high school students earning community service hours, and the MFMII Showcase/Staff team, the concert was timely and on beat! Pictures convey the joyful participants. Click here for the slideshow of all the photos (PDF).
CONCERT PROGRAM
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Music definitely “makes the world go ‘round” and MFMII celebrated that theme with over 300 children performing in our Showcase 2020 Concert on February 21st at Harbor Light, in Fremont. Children from a variety of schools in Fremont and Newark made their professional stage debut before an audience of 700 parents, friends and relatives as well as community members who definitely agreed that music unites us all and yes, “makes the world go ‘round.” Songs were sung in different languages, and students played boomwhackers, sticks, drums, recorders etc., and moved to the beat with great joy. All of this happened thanks to their dedicated volunteer music docents that MFMII trained and supports in their weekly music enrichment classroom lessons. MFMII offers these performance opportunities for children so they can share their musical gifts with others which spreads that joy and can unite a community.
MFMII partners with the Fremont Youth Symphony (FYSO) and the Virtuoso International Flute Ensemble (VIFE) directed by Judy Lam who also sits on the MFMII Advisory Council. Both groups joined in sharing wonderful classical music which inspired the children. A few recorder students from Birch Grove Intermediate in Newark were honored to play with FYSO having been taught by their MFMII docent. Another community partner, Taiko Drumming expert Terry Eustice, introduced some Taiko Drummers who mesmerized the children and audience.
The highlight of the concert was of course the 300 students rehearsed and directed by their wonderful volunteer MFMII music docents and the MFMII kids choir led by choir director Lydia Concepcion. There is nothing like seeing and hearing that many students singing and signing their hearts out and being filled with joy because of the beautiful, exciting, age-appropriate music that feeds their brains while touching their hearts.
One of the songs, “When the Lights All Shine” sung and signed by Hirsch Elementary in Fremont, enabled the audience to participate as midway through the song, everyone was told to put on the lights on their cell phones and swayed to the music giving all the children a breathtaking sight. The concert culminated in the finale songs “Circle the Earth With Peace” which was sung in many languages followed by “See You Later Alligator” which definitely ended things on a powerful and fun-filled “note” for the children and the audience too.
Our thanks to Harbor Light and our primary sponsors, the Fremont Bank and the Intero Foundations who supported our successful event as well as the Tri-City Voice for its valued publicity.
Music not only “makes the world go ‘round” but it is essential to the healthy development of children and definitely enhances their academic success and positive community impact.
MFMII Showcase Program 2020
Congratulations to all the MFMII students, docents, MFMII kids choir, FYSO, VIFE and Wadaiko Taiko for making our children's showcase concert a one of a kind experience. Thank you to everyone for your support. You have helped to keep music alive in our schools!
Our 2011 showcase “The Beat Goes On!” was presented at Harbor Light in Fremont. We presented over 300 children who receive music enrichment weekly from our trained MFMII music docents, and it conveyed the need and value of music in children’s lives despite budgetary cutbacks in the arts. Children from several school districts that MFMII serves, united in song for the powerful opener and closer and performed their individual pieces as well.
The highlight of the concert was of course the 300 students rehearsed and directed by their wonderful volunteer MFMII music docents and the MFMII kids choir led by choir director Lydia Concepcion. There is nothing like seeing and hearing that many students singing and signing their hearts out and being filled with joy because of the beautiful, exciting, age-appropriate music that feeds their brains while touching their hearts.
One of the songs, “When the Lights All Shine” sung and signed by Hirsch Elementary in Fremont, enabled the audience to participate as midway through the song, everyone was told to put on the lights on their cell phones and swayed to the music giving all the children a breathtaking sight. The concert culminated in the finale songs “Circle the Earth With Peace” which was sung in many languages followed by “See You Later Alligator” which definitely ended things on a powerful and fun-filled “note” for the children and the audience too.
Our thanks to Harbor Light and our primary sponsors, the Fremont Bank and the Intero Foundations who supported our successful event as well as the Tri-City Voice for its valued publicity.
Music not only “makes the world go ‘round” but it is essential to the healthy development of children and definitely enhances their academic success and positive community impact.
MFMII Showcase Program 2020
Congratulations to all the MFMII students, docents, MFMII kids choir, FYSO, VIFE and Wadaiko Taiko for making our children's showcase concert a one of a kind experience. Thank you to everyone for your support. You have helped to keep music alive in our schools!
Our 2011 showcase “The Beat Goes On!” was presented at Harbor Light in Fremont. We presented over 300 children who receive music enrichment weekly from our trained MFMII music docents, and it conveyed the need and value of music in children’s lives despite budgetary cutbacks in the arts. Children from several school districts that MFMII serves, united in song for the powerful opener and closer and performed their individual pieces as well.
I am so pleased to have... my docent. My students are very happy on our music days. - First Grade, Parkmont Elementary School, Fremont |
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