GRAPHIC/ Brianna Tong & Eizen Yap “Working with all ages didn’t scare me,” Howie said. “It just seemed pretty normal and pretty natural to me because I just love music and big choirs and I want more people to join the choir. If you just want to try joining a choir, just give it a try.”
By Brianna Tong,
Sports Editor
The moment district accompanist Jon Howie sees his cue, his fingers glide over the keys of the piano, producing a harmony that compliments the voices of the Brighter Side Singers. Together, they plunge into a realm of high beauty while the room illuminates in agreement with the music that runs through.
As the official piano accompanist for the district, Howie works with groups ranging from fourth to 12th grade. He spends most of his time working alongside the Vocal Arts department—Brighter Side Singers, the women’s and men’s choir. In his 33rd year of working at the high school, Howie played alongside 32 annual Spring Musical productions.
Howie is looking forward to working in this year’s March musical, “High School Musical.”
“I am excited because it’s one we haven’t done before,” Howie said. “ People seem to know it and they’re excited about it. It is fun music. I think it’ll be a fun show to play and is definitely for everyone to be in.”
Howie holds a special connection with the high school as an alumnus. As a student, he once was a Brighter Side member and performed in three musical productions, “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Hello, Dolly!”
“I get to continue doing what I did in high school even though I’m not a student,” Howie said. “But most of all I get to give back to the programs like Brighter Side and the musicals. It’s so much fun to be able to continue doing that after all these years.”
Starting his journey of playing the piano at age 10, Howie went on to major in music at Cal State LA. He worked at his Alma Mater’s music department before landing a job at the high school.
Similarly to many musicians, Howie believes music holds a deeper meaning beneath the surface as it helps you express yourself and sparks individuality. When fluent in the language of music, you have the tools to express anything you desire. Music can also unite the world. Its universality leaps through cultural barriers and unites people from varying backgrounds in a way that no other phenomenon can.
Though you can find him switching through different stations on his car varying from pop to classical music, you will most often find Howie listening to jazz standards from the 60s. Howie believes that music can affect your mood. Whether in a state of happiness or in a funk, music is there to console us.
“I would hope music helps people get through the day,” Howie said. “It’s an outlet for how you are feeling. It can be uplifting.”
The Vocal Arts and Performing Arts departments are exceptional places to start pursuing music. The community is a safe and welcoming space to all students regardless of music experience. Though the road to learning music may be challenging, the rewards and memories bring incomparable joy.
“Don’t give up when you’re practicing and keep going, keep pursuing it,” Howie said. “Whether that’s singing, playing instruments or anything in life… if you find something that you enjoy doing, keep doing it.”