Sharing the signs of music

June Casagrande

For most of us, music may be pleasing to the ears, but there’s no

denying that it is the language of the heart.

Thirteen San Juan Capistrano children transcended the laws of sound on

Saturday to prove this point. The Sign Language Choir gave a stirring

performance at the Heritage Stage of the Orange County Fair.

The performers, all students from the San Juan Capistrano area, have

mastered American Sign Language, but not out of necessity. All of them

have their hearing. They took on the study of signing out of a passion

for language and a longing to be able to bridge a divide that can

sometimes separate people who can hear from those who cannot.

“I wanted to learn sign language since I was in kindergarten,” said

Courtney Moore, 10, who will begin sixth grade in the fall at Stony Brook

Christian School in San Juan Capistrano. “Sign language gives you another

way to communicate with people a lot different from you.”

Under the direction of leader Lynn Hughes, the performers filed on to

the stage carrying small flags, which they planted on top of the stage’s

center speaker. Then, as a recorded version of Neil Diamond’s “They Come

to America” began in the background, the performers brought the music to

life.

The four more experienced performers, including Courtney and

12-year-old Jessica Felix, took turns signing and mouthing the lyrics as

younger students behind them signed along with the chorus.

By the time they were halfway through second number, the “Star

Spangled Banner,” a large and very appreciative audience had gathered for

the show. The patriotic program continued with the “Pledge of Allegiance”

set to music and “America the Beautiful.” Then the musical lineup shifted

to show tunes and songs like “Lean on Me.”

Watching the show, it’s almost impossible not to pick up a little bit

of the vocabulary. The word “to lean” in sign language is a gesture of

literally leaning with both hands clutched to the shoulder. “Sea to

shining sea” also made for some easy translation. The word “sea” consists

of hands near hip level creating a wave motion that clearly conveys its

meaning.

But, as with any language, translations can be hard, as Jessica Felix

explained.

“A lot of the words don’t exactly match,” the Stony Brook Christian

School seventh-grader said. “Sometimes it’s hard to make the meaning make

sense.”

Under Hughes’ direction, though, the children’s message was clear:

Communication is the key to understanding, and everyone speaks the

language of music.

“Sign language helps them learn that there are children who are a

little different from them,” Hughes said. “It’s a way to reach out.”

-- June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .