Tag: fcc

Fresno Philharmonic: Tower Quartet presents Women Making Waves

Join the Tower Quartet and Rei Hotoda for an evening of wonderful music created by female composers. You know what that means don’t you? Girl power!

The Tower Quartet is thrilled to welcome Rei Hotoda – accomplished pianist, conductor of the Fresno Philharmonic, and a formidable female in her own right – as we celebrate the women who have made waves in classical music.

String Quartet No. 1, Danielle Fisher (Fresno’s own!)

String Quartet in E flat major, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel

Piano Quintet in F Sharp minor, Op. 67, Amy Beach

7pm Saturday November 5th, 2022

Old Administration Building

Fresno City College

General Admission $20 | Students $10

Hailed by musical professionals for their energy and commitment to music making, the Tower Quartet was formed in 2018 by current and former Fresno State graduate students. Combining a love for tradition with an eye towards inclusion, the Tower Quartet performs both in conventional and unusual spaces, bridging the gap between genres and generations.

They aim to honor classic chamber music while juxtaposing it with new works, particularly from composers in the California Central Valley community. With a passion for outreach and education, the Tower Quartet presents chamber performances and coaches music programs at public schools throughout the valley. In 2021 they launched a mentorship program where Tower Quartet members provide regular coaching for young string quartet ensembles. In an effort to keep chamber music appreciation growing and relevant, The Tower Quartet always strives to make chamber music accessible and exciting for their community.

FCC: My Graduation Experience

There are many great things I have experienced at Fresno City College (FCC), especially in its overall simplicity and affordability. But within the past few months, I have been left utterly disappointed. It was my last semester anyway, so I just thought oh well, I will be so happy participate in the graduation commencement, as I would officially never have to see FCC again. Turns out, FCC even had to screw that up. The graduation commencement ceremony was unexpectedly disorganized, hectic, and cruel to the students. As part of me RSVPing for the commencement, FCC had sent an email detailing the graduation; where it would be, provided parking for graduates and guests, and when the ceremony would begin, as well as when students must arrive.

The graduation as at Chukchansi Park, stated that graduate students should be in Chukchansi no later than 7pm, and that commencement would start at 8pm. That was not remotely the case. I had decided to drive myself, as my family would come later. As soon as I neared Chukchansi Park, I already had to fight unbearable traffic. I got to where it was stated graduate parking would be, only to find out that parking for graduates was not available, at all. Instead, I was confusingly redirected to guest parking. Guest parking was very close to Chukchansi, so I passed up parking spaces that were a 10 minute walk to Chukchansi. I later regretted it. Guest parking was at the spiral garage. Let me tell you, NEVER EVER park at the spiral garage. It was a spiral hell, and with each level you rose, you also rose up a level of hell.

Not only was it impossible to find parking spaces, it was extremely arduous just to move around; going up a level got you stuck in stalemate, and going down (I wanted to get out of there!) was moving at a pace of one car a minute. If only I had parked anywhere along the street to begin with, I would’ve been able to get to Chukchansi much earlier even if I had to walk for over 10 minutes. By the time I got out, I was fearful I would not graduate, as it was quite past 7, over the time in which FCC said graduates must show up. But as I ran to Chukchansi, I was both relieved and extremely annoyed at FCC. There was still a huge line of graduates waiting to get past the fares. I could’ve just came an hour later and not to fight so hard. Unfortunately, it gets worse.

Commencement was supposed to start at 8pm, but for over 30 minutes, the event focused instead on nongraduates; wasting our time with antics. Finally, graduates would be able to walk onto the field. But even then, turns out that it would take nearly another hour until I actually got to walk. All of this trouble, all because FCC’s email gave me false expectations; I and my family could’ve simply arrived 2 hours after the time commencement supposedly started. Wouldn’t have had to fight unbearable traffic, and there would be so much more parking space and chaos.