AXP 2011 Applications due FEBRUARY 14TH

Question of the day: OMG!  Applications are due Monday???!!

Answer: 

If you need to hand deliver your application , our office is located in the Harbor Corporate Park just north of Ikea at 3631 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 92704.  Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and after-hours drop-off will be available until 6 p.m. (the building's exterior doors are locked at 6 p.m.)   
 
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You can fax your application to (714) 755-5789, or you can e-mail a scanned copy to arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org.  If you fax or e-mail your application, please help us avoid data entry duplication and DO NOT MAIL THE ORIGINAL.

Admissions decisions will be mailed in early March.

AXP Application Question of the Day

Come back regularly to see the most frequently asked questions about applying to arts-X-press!
  

Today's question: I received a 2-page application from my teacher, but I have a lot of questions about arts-X-press.

Answer: It's likely that your application is missing its first page, which contains all kinds of useful information about tuition, activities, etc.  Download the information page here.

Bonus question: What is the tuition to arts-X-press?
Answer: Full tuition to arts-X-press is $675.  Financial aid (in the form of tuition reductions and payment plans) is negotiated on a case-by-case basis after acceptance to the prgram.  No student will ever be turned away due to their financial situation.

AXP Application Question of the Day

Come back regularly to see the most frequently asked questions about applying to arts-X-press!

Today's question: Can I request a specific art form?

Answer: The goal of arts-X-press is for all students to participate in ALL FIVE art forms during their session.  Trying art forms you've never tried before is part of the fun, which is why we do not accept requests for specific assignments.  However, we do guarantee that you will be assigned to one of the three art forms that you indicate on your application. The five art forms are: theater; visual art; vocal music; instrumental music; and dance. 

AXP Application Question of the Day

Come back regularly to see the most frequently asked questions about applying to arts-X-press!

Today's question: Does arts-X-press offer financial aid?

Answer: YES!  No student will ever be turned away from arts-X-press for financial reasons. Go ahead and fill out your application, return it by the February 14th deadline, and if you are accepted, we will send out financial aid info with the welcome letters at the beginning of March.  We are committed to finding a solution for every financial situation.

Now accepting applications for AXP 2011

We are now accepting student applications for this summer!  Go to www.pacificsymphony.org/arts-x-press to download an application or find out more about the program.  Students must be in 6th or 7th grade currently and residents of Orange County.  Deadline is February 14!

AXP 2011 dates:
July 16-20
July 23-27
July 31-Aug. 3

Counselors, look for your application info in March.

OC Can You Play?

Pianos everywhere, for everyone!  Pacific Symphony announces OC Can You Play?--A public pianos project.  Twenty colorfully painted pianos will be located throughout Orange County including two painted by our very own counselor and staff alum Philip Womack.   

Year 1 counselor and Visual Art instructor Philip Womack

Philip's pianos will take up temporary residence at Main Beach in Laguna and Carousel Court at South Coast Plaza beginning January 16.  When the event ends, they will be put up for auction to benefit the Symphony's education programs, including AXP!  Got an urge to play?  Come to the launch party on Sunday, January 16 at 3 pm in the Jewel Court of South Coast Plaza.  Plus, you can get a head start on our Foursquare piano scavenger hunt.

You can find more info and an interactive map of all 20 pianos at www.pacificsymphony.org/OCCanUPlay. 

More pictures are on the Pacific Symphony Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pacificsymphony

OC Can You Sing?

Okay AXP alumni--here's your chance to sing with the Pacific Symphony!! 

OC Can You Sing is an open amateur singing competition just for Orange County. No prior professional experience is required.  In fact, only amateurs are eligible! 

This is an extraordinary opportunity – a chance to perform with Pacific Symphony, one of the most renowned orchestras, in three of our concerts (March 17-19) featuring American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee!

Application deadline: January 31.  Applicants must be at least 18 and reside in Orange County.

For more information and eligibility details, visit www.pacificsymphony.org/OCCanUSing

So You Think You Can Be a Counselor!

It is always awesome to hear from our alumni, especially when so many e-mail telling us they're dying to apply to be a counselor!  Information on applying to be a counselor is distributed in March, via e-mail, Facebook and the blog.  So if you have been waiting all these years to turn 16, friend us on Facebook and make sure we have your current e-mail address so that you are sure to get the info when it goes out. Or, check back here in the spring for more info!
 
You, too, could be like these awesome counselors from 2010.

Use the Force

Did you ever consider what Darth Vader has in common with an orchestra conductor?  For starters, they both wear black and carry a stick.  Find out what else they have in common as conductor Maxim Eshkenazy as he leads the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra in music from Star Wars at their fall concert next weekend.

Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra
November 13, 7 p.m.
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Click here for tickets and more information

I am arts-X-press

It was amazing to see so many of our alumni at the 10 year reunion this weekend!  And we're psyched that so many people contributed to our giant "I Am arts-X-press" poems.

Reunion pictures coming soon!

10 Year Reunion

We can't wait to see everybody this Sunday!  Phone sales for the reunion are now CLOSED.  If you still need to buy your tickets, this is what you need to do:

1) Go to Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall between 2 and 2:30 this Sunday, October 17 to buy your CONCERT TICKETS for $10.  Be sure to tell the box office you are there for the arts-X-press reunion so they give you the reunion discount!  You must have a concert ticket to enter the concert hall.  The concert starts at 3:00.

2) Once inside the concert hall, go up to the second floor, where you can buy your REUNION TICKETS for $20.  We accept cash, check or credit card.

We are not accepting any more volunteers at this late date.

See you Sunday!

10 Year Reunion FAQs

We're so glad that so many of you are interested in coming to the reunion!  Here are answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the 10-year reunion coming up on October 17.

How and when can I buy tickets?

Reunion tickets must be purchased in advance through the box office! If you buy your tickets by October 8, the reunion+concert package is only $20.  After that, the price goes UP to $30, so be sure to order your tickets early!  You can order tickets by calling the box office at (714) 755-5799.  Be sure to tell them you're calling about the arts-X-press reunion.

Can I just buy a ticket to the reunion and not the concert?
No.  The concert is part of the fun!  Everyone who enters Segerstrom Concert Hall must have a concert ticket.  But you CAN buy a ticket to just the concert and not the reunion.  Concert-only tickets are $10.

Should parents plan to come, or just arts-X-press alumni?
The reunion activities which start at 4:30 are definitely geared towards alumni, but parents are welcome.  Or, parents may attend just the concert from 3:00-4:30 at the reunion discount price of $10. Please note: we will have lots of staff and counselors at the post-concert activities which begin at 4:30, but we cannot take responsibility for supervising our youngest alumni during the concert.

Can I trade volunteer service for free admission to the concert and reunion?
We can still use a few volunteers to help us with set-up and clean-up.  Please call the hotline at (714) 876-2336 if you are interested.

What should I wear?

We would love to see a sea of AXP-wear, so break out your t-shirts!  If your t-shirt doesn't fit, you can by a new one at the ArtsMart, or any nice casual clothing is appropriate (khakis, cords, etc.)

Got a question that's not answered here?  Leave us a comment or drop us an e-mail, and we'll be sure to add it!

Get your Halloween on!

It's almost October, and you know what that means!  The Pacific Symphony celebrates Halloween with two performances for the under-10 crowd.

FREE Chamber Music

October 2, Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avocado Ave.
11:00 a.m.

A trio from the Pacific Symphony string section presents a fun and interactive concert specially designed for audiences age 5-8 years old.  The program features popular works from Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, along with music by the great masters. Come ready to sing along, and be sure to stay for hands-on look at the violin at our Instrument Petting Zoo.

(Dana Freeman, MarlaJoy Weisshaar, and Laszlo Mezo pictured at right)

Halloween Goes Hollywood!

October 16, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Performances at 10:00 and 11:30
Musical Carnival at 9:00 and 12:15

Cheer on the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (including several AXP alumni) as they take the stage with the Pacific Symphony for the annual Side-by-Side concert featuring frightfully fun movie music! Enjoy selections from "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Star Wars," "Harry Potter" and more. Don't forget to wear your costume for this wonderful celebration!  Tickets and more info

If you're a little too old for trick-or-treating, you can still stay involved by volunteering to help at the Musical Carnival.  E-mail edvolunteer@pacificsymphony.org about for more information about volunteer opportunities.

10 Year Reunion tickets on sale now!

Come celebrate 10 years of magic!
October 17, 2010
Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall

Reunion Schedule:

2:30pm             Early check-in.  Come early and beat the lines!

3:00 pm            Excursion flashback: Pacific Symphony performs “Pictures at an Exhibition”

4:30 pm  Check-in continues and party time!

5:00-7:00pm  Reunion festivities including photo retrospectives, a visit from Carl St.Clair,  special performances, singing, and sharing memories with old friends

Are You Coming?

You must have a ticket to attend the reunion, and tickets must be purchased IN ADVANCE by calling the box office at (714) 755-5799 by October 11. 

Concert + Reunion $20

Concert only $10

Be sure to specify you are calling for the 10-year reunion

If you are dying to attend but don’t have $20, we could use some  volunteer labor!  Call the hotline to inquire.

Got Questions? 

Hotline: (714) 876-2336

Email: arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/arts-x-press

AXP Year 1, Week 1, 2001

2010 Reunion this Weekend!

We're psyched to see our 2010 alumni, counselors and staff at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater this Saturday, September 11!  In case you lost your confirmation e-mail, here's the info:

Tickets: Don't stand in the box office line!  Pick up your tickets between 6:30-7 pm at the table next to the box office.  That leaves plenty of time for catching up with your buds before the concert starts at 8 pm.  Tickets must be purchased in advance, and ticket sales will be CLOSED at 11 a.m. on Friday, 9/10.

Getting there: 
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618

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General parking is $8 

Other helpful info:

We will be on the lawn, so bring blankets, low lawn chairs, jackets, etc.  Feel free to bring a picnic, or you can purchase one from Bristol Farms

Beethoven looks forward to seeing you, too.  Visit the Pacific Symphony website to learn more about Beethoven's Ninth Symphony before Saturday's concert.

Wondering about the 10-year reunion?  Stay tuned.  Tickets go on sale next week!

Dude, where's my DVD?

Wondering where the group photos and DVDs you ordered are?  We apologize for being a little slow!  Photo prints just arrived, and DVDs should be here soon.  So please be patient and give us another week or two to get them mailed out to you.  In the meantime, here are some more photos to tide you over...

  

AXP 2010 REUNION!

Hey arts-X-press 2010 alumni! Remember to buy your tickets for the 2010 Summer Reunion where you can see all your favorite friends, counselors, and staff!

The concert is on September 11 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and starts at 8 PM!

Tickets are $11 for students and $22 for adults and can only be purchased by calling (714) 876-2336 or e-mailing arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org. Tickets will be available for pickup before the concert at the AXP table right outside the entrance of Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

Feel free to let us know if you guys have any questions. We can't wait to see you :D

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR 2010 AXP STUDENTS ONLY! THIS IS NOT FOR THE 10 YEAR REUNION. Information regarding the 10 Year Reunion can be found here:

http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/?expand=pymk&ref=hpb#!/event.php?eid=140576642639630

2010 Reunion

Do you miss AXP already?  Then join us for the 2010 reunion on September 11 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.  Tickets for 2010 alumni are only $11 for students and $22 for adults, and are available ONLY via the AXP hotline, (714) 876-2336 or by mail.

If you're not a 2010 alumn, you can still get your AXP fix on 10/17/10 at the big 10-year reunion.  Save the date!


P.S. For those of you following the saga, you'll be happy to know that Eeyore and Tigger were finally found drinking OJ in the cafeteria on the last day of Session 3.

Week Three Parent Presentation!

We can't wait to see everyone at the Parent Presentation tonight! It begins at 6:45 pm at Newport Mesa Church, which is at 2599 Newport Blvd. in the corner of Vanguard's campus. The whole family is welcome, and your campers can't wait to show you what they've accomplished this week.

Week 3, Day 2 - Shaboom, Shaboom!

Good day parental units. Your children are now sleeping peacefully, but we have an emergency! Tigger (Counselor Claudia's stuffed animal) and Eeyore (Counselor Yolanda stuffed animal) were both stolen earlier today! Don't worry though, we have our highly qualified CSI team on the case, so we should know the culprit soon enough. Hopefully we can reach an agreement on some type of ransom and return them home safely. But enough about them, let's get down to the good stuff.

We started the day with a nice breakfast. The kids then took part in some Creative Expression and Arts Workshops, and if you want to see what they were up to before they come home make sure that you show up to the Parent Presentation on Tuesday at 6:45! (More information on the Parent Presentation will be posted Tuesday morning) After lunch we got on the bus, sang a lot of bus songs, and headed down to the Laguna Playhouse where we saw Life Could Be A Dream, a 1960 based musical that the kids loved! 

Oh, life could be a dream (Shaboom, shaboom)

If I could take you up in paradise up above (Shaboom, shaboom)

If you would tell me I'm the only one you love

Life could be a dream, sweetheart! 

Errr, sorry about that. A lot of the songs are so catchy that sometimes I just start to sing them; this happens quite often. After the show, we had our very own special talkback with the cast where the kids were able to ask them questions about the show and their lives as actors.

After dinner we were then able to take part in a Spotlight Vocal Workshop! Spotlight Workshops are workshops that everyone takes part in for about an hour and a half so that people who didn't get placed in a certain art still have a chance to experience as many arts as they can while they are here are arts-X-press. I hope that wasn't too confusing; if it was, I apologize, I am tired. Anyways, our good friend Jeanette McMahon came in and taught us all about the voice and how to sing and conduct professionally! We then learned about the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra and closed the night with a little activity we call Bonding. We gave out a lot of Magic Buttons tonight; if your kid comes home with one please make sure to ask them to describe their magic moment.

I am now off to bed because we have a busy day tomorrow. We are heading down to Laguna again to see Pageant of the Masters! We have all sorts of activities planned throughout the day, but to find out what we are you going to have to check back in tomorrow night!

AXP Coordinator

Garret

PS. Pictures are on their way later today. I didn't have time to upload them tonight.