Arts-X-press is a summer arts immersion program for 7th and 8th grade students created by the Pacific Symphony in celebration of Cole Carsan St.Clair. 150 students are nominated by teachers throughout Orange County to come together for 5 days of creative exploration each summer. The program has two goals: 1) To expose students to all 5 performing and visual arts; and 2) To foster respect for and interest in each student’s individuality, talents, interests, and background.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

WEEK THREE-DAY ONE


Session 3 has begun! The students joined counselors and staff at their bus stops early this morning and made their way over to University of California, Irvine on the arts-X-press Party Bus!

Once greeted at UCI, they dropped their luggage off in the dorm and it was time for an orientation session where the students learned about Cole Carsan St.Clair and how arts-X-press came into being. After some time getting to know a little more about arts-X-press and getting to meet the counselors and staff of the week, the students joined the counselors for some New Games! These games were an opportunity for the students to meet each other and start to connect with their peers.

With a little prep about our meals, like students must have something grown on their plate(fruit or vegetable) and must have a glass of H2Oooooooh yeah! with each meal, it was LUNCH TIME! The students had a variety of choices on what to eat and had the opportunity to sit with some of our Symphony musicians.

Once lunch was complete, students were divided into their Arts Workshops: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music, Dance, Theater and Visual Art. Although students may not have received their first choice of workshops, the students are all taking risks! From there, it was time for Creative Expression. This is the opportunity for our students to express themselves through their writing. From writing “I am” Poems to Journaling…the students got to know one another even more!

After our daily activities were complete, it was time for our first excursion! We went to the Symphony in the Cities Concert in Irvine! We got to meet with Carl St.Clair and also got a backstage tour. Then it was time for the concert! As we enjoyed our picnic dinner, we listened to some great music by the Pacific Symphony and even heard from pieces from “The Sound of Music.”

When the concert ended, we made our way back to UCI and got ready for bed. Yes, every student took a 3 minute shower!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day so for now, good night from arts-X-press!!
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