Raymond Cree Middle School teacher Andrew Eisenmann is preparing his choir students for a possible performance at a festival in Sacramento. Omar Ornelas/mydesert
Applause! show choir member Dabria Mendoza-Rossi, 14, sings from the sheet music for “Fireflies” at Raymond Cree Middle School. Crystal Chatham/mydesert
To learn more about the Raymond Cree Show Choir, contact Andrew Eisenmann at aeisenmann@psusd.us. Donations can be sent to RCMS Vocal Music Boosters, 1011 Vista Chino, Palm Springs, CA 92262, Attn: APPLAUSE! TOUR 2012. The organization's US IRS tax ID number is 27-1412562.
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Palm Springs — If you had to choose one word to describe Andrew Eisenmann, 47, you would be hard pressed to sum up the Raymond Cree Middle School teacher so succinctly.
“Passionate,” “dedicated” and “energetic” are just a few of the words that describe him. “Hyper,” “giddy” and “enthusiastic” are three more.
Eisenmann has been teaching choir and exploratory classes at the school since 2008, and sometimes it's hard to tell who is more excited about class, Eisenmann or the students.
“There's so many things involved that I like about the class,” choir member Marque Belo, 14, said. “We are like a family in here.”
In addition to enjoying being a teacher, Eisenmann's infectious love of music has helped capture the attention of his students.
As students in Eisenmann's show choir, Applause, shuffle into class and take their seats, he tells them to mind their posture, take deep breaths, sing from their gut — all important in delivering a good sound.
Capital performance
It's their rich sound that has earned the 41 students in the choir an invitation to perform in the California Capital Vocal Jazz & Show Choir Festival, March 16-18 in Sacramento.
“I have taken oodles of student music tours and that's how I learned how to love traveling,” Eisenmann said. “That's why this festival is so important. A lot of these kids have not left the Coachella Valley and I think this is a great opportunity for them to experience traveling and meeting new people, seeing different things.”
Sixteen handpicked schools will attend the two-day event with competitions, vocal clinics and a performance on the steps of the state Capitol for members of the state Department of Education.
With a $13,000 travel and hotel cost looming over their heads, Eisenmann has become a pro at fundraising. From car washes to ice skating parties, to asking businesses for donations, Eisenmann is committed to raising enough money so every student can attend the festival.
Eisenmann even had shirts printed with “No Singer Left Behind” on the back.
“If we all don't go, none of us goes,” Eisenmann said. “We need everyone there to perform our best.”
So far, the group has raised $4,000. Festival promoters kicked in $1,000 to help with travel costs.
“We need $8,000 more in six weeks. It's doable,” Eisenmann says confidently.
Eisenmann and the group plan to hold a few more skating parties, and car washes to help raise funds. He also hopes to receive some donations from the community as well.
Music plus
As funding for art and music education diminishes, Eisenmann tries to find ways to incorporate math, language arts and history into his class.
“Mr. Eisenmann has really jumped on board to incorporate other subjects into his class. The students are introduced to math and fractions through reading music,” Cree Principal Tracy Piper said. “His class is an integral part of a student's learning.”
Eisenmann is also educational director for the Palm Springs Opera Guild's Outreach Program that introduces Coachella Valley students to opera. The program is in its sixth year and has reached more than 12,000 students.
“The program is delightful and the kids love it,” Palm Springs resident and former guild member Arlene Rosental said. “Andrew was fun to work with and a true asset.”
A former baritone opera singer, Eisenmann performed with the Opera San José, Baltimore Opera and West Bay Opera, and appeared as a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall.
“I was practicing in a room at San Jose State and this lady, who everyone was afraid of, named Irene Dalis, a big mezzo-soprano soloist at the Metropolitan Opera, opens the practice room door, complete with a cigarette hanging out of her mouth, tells me, ‘Honey, with a voice like that I can make something out of you,'” Eisenmann said.
Eisenmann performed for 15 years and had 25 leading baritone roles.
“I showed up at the right place, at the right time,” Eisenmann said. “All that did was make me better at being a teacher.”
Aside from the singing and traveling, it's seeing his students mature and grow that are the main perks of Eisenmann's job.
“Mr. Eisenmann's enthusiasm really makes his students excited to be in class,” choir booster member Vicky Santos said. “He has helped my son come out of his shell and gain a lot of confidence.”
