A group of high school musicians, singers and dancers from San Diego are performing at a special inauguration luncheon put on by the California State Society this week. It’s a nonpartisan event to highlight California culture and celebrate its role on the national stage. We dropped in at a jazz band rehearsal with kids from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), who are playing two Duke Ellington songs: “I Didn’t Know about You” and “Play the Blues and Go."
Emma Christie Foster, vocals:
We're going there and we're trying to convey a message of love, and compassion and kindness for everyone. We’re not going in anger. We just want to bring music and dance and happiness to the table at a time when things like that are kind of iffy.
Johncarlo Grady, drums:
We're just trying to show how unique and diverse California is, and say we are still here.
Alvin Paige, saxophone:
Due to the controversy surrounding the president-elect, we want to show how California does it culturally. And show that we’re still here, we’re strong, and support all the people that need support at this time, all the different communities. It’s a difficult time for a lot of people, so we’re there to help and support.
Tate McKay, guitar :
We're representing that California's still here, that we still have a voice.
Ashley Del Castillo, bass:
I just want to go and prove to D.C. and everyone else there from California that SCPA can swing, and we can still preserve through at time of conflict.
Dalina Canton, dancer:
The arts are a vital portion in someone’s life, and can be a great outlet to show sadness or love or happiness or great feelings in the world. What we have to bring for SCPA and California is, we are still here. Regardless of who is in the White House, as long as you have something in your life, as long as you have a musical portion in your life, it’s always going to be OK.