Volunteer for Youth Concerts!

Hello Everyone!

We wanted to share a special volunteer opportunity that is coming up with the Pacific Symphony. Come join us and volunteer at:

Youth Concerts

on May 28, 29, 30 and June 3, 4, 5 and 6th

from 7:45AM-12:30 PM

at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

The Youth Concerts are one of the culminating events for the Class Act school partnership program. This concert is repeated 14 times over 7 days and serves 28,000 school children! This year’s concert focuses on the music and life of Mozart and it features young musicians on piano and violin!

Remember, there is always the opportunity to earn free concert tickets if you volunteer three of more times with the Symphony, and for every day you volunteer, you are invited to a beautiful complimentary catered luncheon!

We would love to have you join us as a volunteer! If you are interested in joining us at the Youth Concerts as a volunteer or have any questions, please contact Mollie at: mgilmore@pacificsymphony.org

~Shannon, arts-X-press Coordinator

arts-X-press Alumni and Music Masters

We wanted to share the success of the Music Masters Concert that took place on May 12th. It was a night to remember as the audience was presented with "An Evening of Musical Theatre."

Music Masters, in its fifteenth consecutive year, promotes the music education of elementary students. Through this program, one instructor conducts weekly instrumental lessons at four elementary schools in the Savanna School District and one junior high school in the Anaheim Union School District during the regular school day.

More than 200 aspiring instrumentalists have participated this year!

The concert, part of the Imagination Celebration, featured arts-X-press students, past and present!

arts-X-press and Music Masters Alumnus, Anthony Truong, even had his original composition premiered!

We were so proud to see the talents of arts-X-pressers showcased in the concert!

Great job guys!

OCMAA's Music and Arts Awards

On May 14th, The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators(OCMAA) held their 2008 Music and Arts Awards at the Samueli Theatre of the Performing Arts Center. At the ceremony, the OCMAA recognizes arts educators around the county. We ran into a few familiar faces at the ceremony.

Andy Julian, a former Creative Expression and Instrumental Instructor at arts-X-press, was nominated for his work in teaching Instrumental Music. Also, Edward Johnson, former Dance and Vocal Instructor at arts-X-press, was nominated and awarded for his instruction in Dance.

The new conductor for the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra(PSYO), Maxim, was the keynote speaker at the event. We will get the opportunity to spend some time with Maxim this summer when he comes to visit us at arts-X-press and share information about PSYO.

We saw some other familiar faces around the room! Shanti, former Dance instructor with arts-X-press was there to show her support! Pam, Vice President of Education and Community Programs with the Symphony was also there!

We are so proud and want to CONGRATULATE our amazing

arts-X-press Instructors!

Arts-X-press Helps Make 2008 Gala a Success!

Dear arts-X-press Friends,

It is my pleasure to tell you a little about our Pacific Symphony Gala which happened this past weekend. It was a big event in the life of the Symphony and arts-X-press! Every year the Symphony hosts a fundraiser which we call the Gala. It is a huge party and it raises money for the education and artistic programs of the Symphony. Obviously, arts-X-press benefits from the money raised at this event.

This year, the theme of our Gala was “A Chicago Story” all about the history and famous people of Chicago. As you can see from the pictures, the room was very red and velvety as it was meant to look like a Chicago steakhouse.

Throughout the event, we were treated to interesting stories and acting from Randy Gianetti, resident actor for Fullerton Civic Light Opera (a favorite arts-X-press excursion location) and parent of Samantha (arts-X-press alum from 2004). Here he is with me at the event.

The middle of the fundraiser was the best though. That’s when Anthony and Jack were invited to the stage to talk about their experiences at arts-X-press and for Anthony, Music Masters as well. Here are some pictures of them at the event. You would have been so impressed with Jack and Anthony, they were pros! Everything they said was from the heart and so professional. After they spoke, we had a portion of the night called “fund-a-need” where people simply offer to contribute money to support the education and artistic programs of the Symphony. Thanks to Anthony and Jack’s impassioned speeches, we raised $142,500 to support our education programs!

Mollie was also at the event working very hard and looking totally glamorous!

Remember, if there are neat things going on in your life and you would like us to post about you in the blog, just send us an e-mail at arts-X-press@pacificsymphony.org. We love to hear what you are doing!

Thanks again to Jack and Anthony for their tremendous support this weekend!

Warmly,

Rachel

P.S. If you'd like to read an article on the Gala that was in the OC Register, Just CLICK HERE

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles Concert - Sunday May 18th!

Here are 2 exciting concerts coming up that you might like to attend:

The 2007-08 Youth Ensembles Culminating Concert will take place on Sunday, May 18 at 4:30PM and 7PM at the Orange County Performing Artscenter's Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

At 4:30PM:

Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings

Irene Kroesen, conductor

Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble

Michael Corrigan, conductor

Pacific Symphony is pleased to present our newest Youth Ensembles — Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings and Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble — in their premiere performance at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

At 7PM:

Cheng Family Foundation Youth Orchestra Concert Series

America Meets Russia

Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra

Michael Hall, conductor

Michael Hall concludes his tenure at the Pacific Symphony by leading his final performance with the Youth Orchestra in a program of Russian and American music, including music from Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet "Swan Lake."

Keep an eye out for arts-X-press alumni in PSYO: Sarah, Youval, Betty, Susie, and Michelle. Also, look out for Nathan who is among the Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings musicians.

Tickets are just $15 for admission to BOTH concerts! Purchase tickets to the 7 p.m. concert and receive free admission to the 4:30 p.m. performance!

Join us between performances (after the Wind Ensemble and before the Youth Orchestra)on the plaza in front of the concert hall where In-N-Out Burger will be serving hamburgers. However, plan accordingly, as the supply is limited.

CLICK HERE to Purchase Tickets and view more detailed info on these 2 concerts. You may also purchase tickets by calling the box office at

(714) 755-5799 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm)

Hope to see you there to support your fellow arts-X-press alumni and these other great Pacific Symphony Education Programs!

PSYO Performs at Newport Beach Library!

Dear arts-X-press Family,

On Saturday April 26th a few Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) musicians were featured at the Newport Beach Public Library at one of the library’s morning kid’s concerts.

Among the performers was violinist Mason, an who is one of our arts-X-press alumni from 2004. Here's a picture of Mason when he we a camper (bottom left with the violin of course!).

This performance was also aired on the series “A Look at the Library” on NBTV a public access channel in Newport Beach.

CLICK HERE to see their performance and interviews. The video date is May 5, 2008; titled “A look at the Library – Pacific Youth Orchestra.”

Performers for this event were:
Mason - Former PSYO Violinist & arts-X-press alumni

Caitlyn – PSYO Principal Flute
Sean – PSYO Principal Viola

Repertoire for this event was:
Mozart - Sinfonie Concertante for violin and viola
Handel/Halvorsen - Passacaglia for violin and viola
Debussy - Syrinx for solo flute

Congratulations to Mason and all of the PSYO members who participated in this event!

DARTS Celebrates 40 years!

Dear arts-X-press Family,

As many of you know, arts-X-press was inspired and modeled in many ways off of our sister program, Days In the Arts (DARTS) hosted by the Boston Symphony.

DARTS has acheived a huge milestone this year, as they are celebrating their 40th year!

If you woud like to read more about what DARTS is like you can visit the Boston Symphony's website. Just: CLICK HERE

DARTS also has their own blog where they have pictures from past years that you are welcome to check out as well. Just: CLICK HERE

Congrats to DARTS, from everyone arts-X-press, on 40 amazing years!

Music Masters Performance - May 12th!

Dear arts-X-press Family,

We wanted to share with you that next Monday night, May 12th, is a very special evening for the Music Masters program. It is the 15th Anniversary Spring Concert for the students in the program.

Music Masters is one of the oldest education programs of the Pacific Symphony. It is a program through which 200 elementary students in Anaheim receive weekly string lessons from Julie Metz, a substitute violinist with the Symphony.

What is even more exciting is that not only do we have arts-X-press alumni performing this evening, but we also have several current arts-X-press 2008 students who are a part of Music Masters as well.

Cograts to: Frances, Adrian, Jouquin, Raymond and Carolyn who are all arts-X-press 2008 students, and to all of our alumni that will be performing!

This special Spring Concert will be taking place:

Date: Monday May 12th

Time: 7pm

Location: Knott Avenue Christian Church

Price: Free!

Since this year was the 15th Anniversary of the program, there will be some very special music presented. Anthony Troung, an alumnus of both Music Masters and arts-X-press will have an original composition premiered. There will also be performances from two other alumni of Music Masters as well.

We hope that if you have the opportunity that you will attend this concert and show your support for arts-X-press and Music Masters!

Philip's Artwork on Display in Laguna!

Dear arts-X-press Family,

Former Counselor, and current Visual Arts Instructor, Philip Womack, currently has his artwork on exhibit at Elle H Boutique in Laguna Beach. You can see his artwork featured and a small interview clip with Philip in this story that was on Fox TV recently. Just: CLICK HERE

You can also see more of Philip's work by visiting his website. For Philip's Website: CLICK HERE

Congrats Philip on your recent showings!

Leslie works with Bobby McFerrin!

Dear arts-X-press Family,

A while back, one of our arts-X-press Vocal Instructors, Leslie Bejamin, was part of a wonderful project. He wanted to share it with you all too:

--------------------------------

Approximately two years ago, I was offered the opportunity to become associated with the arts-X-press program. Since then, this association has developed an important relationship in my career and for my students.

On January 10, 2008, my students and I had the rare privilege of meeting and working with Bobby McFerrin, one of the world's leading vocalists, conductors, and performers. Because he was performing with the Pacific Symphony, he expressed an interest for the opportunity to work with a high school choir. Rachel made this unique opportunity available to me and my choral students at Savanna High School in Anaheim, and this event proved to be an outstanding, memorable, and enriching experience.

As if this experience were not enough, the Symphony made tickets for the concert available to my students at a reduced rate; therefore, making Bobby McFerrin's performance with the Pacific Symphony accessible to my students, who, otherwise, may have not attended this wonderful event.

I have noticed how much Pacific Symphony offers the community. In many cases, performances are offered to students at no charge. The programs that Pacific Symphony offers are enriching, challenging, and, with regards to arts-x-press, life-changing. I would encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity. This is one program, because of its unique curriculum, that can potentially change the lives of so many in positive ways. Speaking from experience, the arts-x-press program has renewed my excitement for teaching and given me a new perspective on arts education.

I hope to continue this relationship with Pacific Symphony and I encourage you to become acquainted with the Pacific Symphony, its numerous programs, and take advantage of what they can offer you! Get enriched, challenged, and changed.

Leslie Benjamin

Choral Director

Savanna High School

--------------------------------------

If you would like to read an article about this concert from the OC Register, just CLICK HERE

** Stay tuned for posts introducing you to all of your arts-X-press staff!**