Excursion Spotlight: Pacific Symphony

arts-X-press students in all three weeks get a chance to have lunch with Pacific Symphony musicians so that they can learn more what the life of a professional musician is really like. So it's always exciting to see them onstage!

The 5 Browns

Week 1 will hear The 5 Browns at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. The 5 Browns — five siblings, five virtuosos — took the music world by storm in 2002, when People magazine called them "The Fab Five." How often do you get to hear FIVE PIANISTS all at once?

Week 3 will attend Symphony in the Cities in Irvine. This popular event attracts thousands of people each summer. Featuring high-quality family entertainment in the great outdoors, the Symphony is joined this year by the Southern California Childrens' Chorus.

Carl St.Clair

Both concerts will be conducted by Music Director Carl St.Clair. Carl has been an important part of arts-X-press since the very beginning, and continues to be an inspiration to students and alumni.

Don't worry, Week 2--you will also get a chance to see your musician friends in action. Many Pacific Symphony musicians also play in the orchestras for Pageant of the Masters and Mary Poppins.

Excursion Spotlight: Pageant of the Masters

Get ready to believe in the art of the impossible! All three sessions will be attending the 2011 Pageant of the Masters, Only Make Believe. In its uniquely theatrical celebration of "living pictures," it is a passport to explore worlds populated by ancient and modern superheroes and strange, mythical creatures. It will also showcase the creative expressions of artists who devoted themselves to conjuring everything from Victorian historical fantasies, illustrations for fairytales beginning "once upon a time," to futuristic visions of things to come, all in a breathtaking performance of "art that lives and breathes." arts-X-pressers will enjoy hands on activities with real artists at Festival of the Arts preceding the Pageant.

Packing Lists, Bus Schedules, and Medications

We are getting ready to go! In case you misplaced any of your forms that you received at the Summer Orientation, they are available for download here:
Packing List
Medicine Labeling Form
Bus Schedule
If you didn't turn in your bus stop preference at the orientation meetings, please e-mail or phone in your preferences as soon as possible.

Only 25 days until the start of session 1!

New Staff

Introducing some fabulous new staff and counselors!

Carrie Villanueva has been involved with AXP for years, and will be assisting with paperwork, parent phone calls and e-mails. Carrie also works on Pacific Symphony's Class Act program.

Garret at the 10-year reunion in 2010

Garret Wehrman is definitely not new. He was part of the very first class of arts-X-press in 2001, then spent several years as a counselor, and THEN was the Coordinator last summer. We are thrilled that Garret will be returning once again as the Coordinator for Week 3.

Gavin Kane will be joining us as a counselor for Week 2. Gavin is a student at OCHSA and was part of the AXP class of 2007.

Summer Orientation

Please plan to attend one of these meetings so you don’t miss out on important info on bus stops, excursions, and what to pack. Students are encouraged to attend this meeting as it is their first chance to meet some of their fabulous counselors! Please bring all forms and payments with you.

June 6, 7:00 pm, Building A, Board Room
June 11, 10:00 a.m., Building D, Rooms 1004-06

Both meetings are at the Orange County Dept. of Education, 200 Kalmus Dr., Costa Mesa. 

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AXP Events This Week

AXP Welcome Night
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Piano soloist Yuja Wang has been replaced due to illness. She is being replaced by Conrad Tao who is just 16 years old!

When:         Concert begins at 3 pm 

Where:       Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Orange County Performing Arts Center

Parking:     Parking is available in adjacent structures and at the Wyndham Hotel for $8-10.  OCPAC is also accessible by OCTA. 

What to wear: These are afternoon casual concerts, so wear what makes you comfortable.

***Be sure to stop by the Welcome Table in the lobby to get a special treat!***

Tickets are available for purchase until 4 pm on June 3.
1.     Call the Pacific Symphony Box Office at (714) 755-5799.
2.     Mention you are from arts-X-press to receive the special discount price (Students: $10, Adults: $20)3.     Pick your tickets up at the Will Call window.

For maps, information on restaurants, and lots more info, click on “Enhance Your Experience” at www.pacificsymphony.org
We do not recommend this concert for children under the age of 8.
This is an optional event, but we hope to see you there!

Summer Orientations
Please plan to attend one of these meetings so you don’t miss out on important info on bus stops, excursions, and what to pack. Students are encouraged to attend this meeting as it is their first chance to meet some of their fabulous counselors! Please bring all forms and payments with you.

June 6, 7:00 pm, Building A, Board Room
June 11, 10:00 a.m., Building D, Rooms 1004-06

Both meetings are at the Orange County Dept. of Education, 200 Kalmus St., Costa Mesa. 

View Larger Map 

See you soon!