A Clairbourn Tradition – 20 Years of Ginkgo Leaf Play

Grand and magnificent trees are often used as symbols of the educational experience, and this is especially true for Clairbourn School. Today, we have in the center of the quad a stunning, mature Ginkgo tree that bursts into spectacular bright yellow color every winter and covers the green lawn in its soft, leathery leaves.  But, this was not the first large tree of note on Clairbourn’s campus.

Continue reading “A Clairbourn Tradition – 20 Years of Ginkgo Leaf Play”

New Stair Mural for Clairbourn’s Middle School by Artist Veronica Farren

International Muralist Veronica Farren

Veronica Farren is a talented Los Angeles-based muralist and artist who is enthusiastic about enriching the lives of students through her vibrant art. She creates custom artwork for schools and is happy to accomodate their particular style and standards, paint their ideas, or simply paint their logo.

Veronica’s most recent project is a stunning staircase mural for Clairbourn School’s students. The design reflects the student body’s love of reading and displays 18 of their favorite books. The mural concept was inspired by the “Stairs of Knowledge” at Lebanon’s University of Balamand. Continue reading “New Stair Mural for Clairbourn’s Middle School by Artist Veronica Farren”

Original Thanksgiving Song Created by Middle School Students

Student composers Isabel Cai and Kennedy King, both in 8th grade, along with fellow composer teacher Cara Barker, show their published sheet music for their original song “Give Thanks.”
At Clairbourn’s annual Thanksgiving Assembly, each grade has an opportunity to perform poems or songs that reflect the spirit of the holiday. Last year, middle school students, under the direction of teacher Cara Barker, used their performance opportunity to give their audience a show-stopping choral number that became the talk of the campus for the beauty of the music and the sentiments it expressed.

The success of this performance made it possible for two students, Isabel C. and Kennedy K. (both now in 8th grade), to be encouraged to collaborate with teacher Cara Barker, during an electronic music elective held later that year, in composing and performing an original song for the 2018 Thanksgiving Assembly (with the music arranged by Cara Barker). The song is called “Give Thanks” and the piece has been copyrighted, published, and distributed through J.W. Pepper.

The middle school chorus performs “Give Thanks” at the Thanksgiving Assembly.
The entire middle school student body participated in performing this original song at the Thanksgiving Assembly on Grandparents Visiting Day, and they were accompanied by musicians from the student body, faculty, and an alum who lent their talents to help bring the song to life . Please enjoy this video of their moving musical performance:

Thanks go to composers, including teacher Cara Barker and eighth-graders Isabel C. and Kennedy K., conductor Rosemary Kiertzner, and the musicians including teacher Mary Drazic on cello, teacher Ann Mize on violin, eighth-grader Andrea M. on cello, seventh-graders Jaleen Tseng and William Ho on violin, and alum Nicole Lam from the Class of 2017 on piano, along with students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in the chorus.

Talented musician, and alumni from the Class of 2018 Nicole Lam, shown with teacher Cara Barker, returned for a second year to assist with the middle school Thanksgiving song. She performed on piano with the other musicians. Cara Barker arranged the music which was performed by seventh-graders William Ho (not shown) and Jaleen Tseng on violin, teacher Ann Mize on violin, teacher Mary Drazic on cello, eighth-grader Andrea M. on cello.

Clairbourn School Provides Private School Education for Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary School, and Middle School Grades | Serving Families in the Pasadena, California, Area and Surrounding Cities (K-12 Private Schools) | Clairbourn is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Click here to request information.