A Typical Day at arts-X-press

What does a typical day at arts-X-press look like?  It definitely involves a lot of creativity and fun.Here's what you can expect on an average day, but we warn you--nothing about arts-X-press is average!
7:00am   Wake-up Call
7:30am   Breakfast  YUM!
8:30am   Creative Expression - like yoga for your creative mind
9:30am   Arts Workshops - Dance, instrumental music, visual art, vocal music, or theater. You will find out your assignment on the very first day and then you will attend the same arts workshop 4 days in a row.
12:00pm Lunch MORE YUM!
1:00pm   Excursion - find out what your excursions will be at Summer Orientation!
6:00pm   Dinner
7:00pm   Group Activity - you never know what this will be, but you know it will be fun!
10:00pm Lights-out...sleep tight so you're ready for another fun day!

Instrumental Music Workshop

Dance Spotlight Workshop

2012 Forms and Info

"Oh no!" you're thinking to yourself. "My arts-X-press forms were due YESTERDAY! What can I do?!!"

Do not stress. Definitely do not slog through Orange County traffic to hand deliver them to our office. Please just drop them in the very next mailbox you see and drop us an e-mail letting us know they will be a few days late.

Don't forget you can RSVP for Summer Orientation online!

Registration meetings coming up!

We look forward to meeting the class of 2012 at the upcoming registration meetings. Students are encouraged to attend with their parents. See you soon!


Thursday, March 22, 7:00-8:30pm

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Office

Board Room

2985 A Bear Street

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Spanish translator available

Monday, March 26, 7:00-8:30pm

Saddleback Valley Unified School District

25631 Peter A Hartman Way

Mission Viejo, CA 92691-3199

Wednesday, March 28, 7:00-8:30 pm

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Board Room

1301 Orangethorpe Avenue

Placentia, CA 92870

  
Thursday, March 29, 7:00-8:30pm

Irvine Unified School District Office

Board Room

5050 Barranca

Irvine, CA 92604

Monday, April 2, 7:00-8:30 pm

Garden Grove Unified School District Office

Annex Conference Room

10331 Stanford Avenue

Garden Grove, CA 92840

Spanish and Vietnamese translators available 

Monday, April 9, 7:00-8:30 pm

Santa Ana Unified School District Office

Training Room

1601 E. Chestnut Ave.

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Spanish translator available 

Map of orientation meetings:

View AXP orientations in a larger map

Alumni Spotlight: James for President

He's been an arts-X-presser. He's been a counselor for 5 years running. He's joining the staff this summer. And now our very own James Suazo could be the next ASI President at Cal State Long Beach.
To follow James' campaign or offer your support, check out his campaign website. 

We're behind you all the way, James! 

James has come a long way since 2002

Welcome AXP Class of 2012

Congrats to a new class of arts-X-pressers! At least one parent/ guardian needs to attend one registration meeting, where you will receive your session assignment and forms. Students are encouraged to attend, too. No RSVP is necessary. See you there!

Thursday, March 22, 7:00-8:30pm

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Office

Board Room

2985 A Bear Street

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Spanish translator available

Monday, March 26, 7:00-8:30pm

Saddleback Valley Unified School District

25631 Peter A Hartman Way

Mission Viejo, CA 92691-3199

Wednesday, March 28, 7:00-8:30 pm

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Board Room

1301 Orangethorpe Avenue

Placentia, CA 92870

  
Thursday, March 29, 7:00-8:30pm

Irvine Unified School District Office

Board Room

5050 Barranca

Irvine, CA 92604

Monday, April 2, 7:00-8:30 pm

Garden Grove Unified School District Office

Annex Conference Room

10331 Stanford Avenue

Garden Grove, CA 92840

Spanish and Vietnamese translators available 

Monday, April 9, 7:00-8:30 pm

Santa Ana Unified School District Office

Training Room

1601 E. Chestnut Ave.

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Spanish translator available 

Map of orientation meetings:

 
View AXP orientations in a larger map

Calling All Visual Artists

Attention Southern California Artists Call For Works Pacific Symphony invites Southern California artists to submit works for consideration for public display in conjunction with our Beethoven 9 concerts in June. Successful submissions will be inspired by the themes of “Brotherhood” as evoked in Beethoven’s final symphony and/or provoke thought about the profound effect this work has made on our world at large. Works of all kinds are encouraged and will be considered, though they must be self-contained free-standing pieces which can be presented in a lobby setting that require no installation. Pieces requiring electricity will be considered. Special accommodation may be made for unique works at our discretion. For more info and eligibility requirements, visit www.pacificsymphony.org/beethovenart

Counselor Applications now available

As an arts-X-press counselor you can share your experiences and knowledge in the arts with students and serve as a role model for students excited about the arts!  Our counselors have the opportunity to work with professional artists and gain teaching and leadership experience, vital for resume and college applications.  Counselors live on campus at Vanguard University for the 5 days of their arts-X-press session, participate in all activities and excursions, mentor students to excel in the arts, and practice their own art form with professionals in their field.

Counselors are given 100 volunteer service hours for each week worked

To apply: You must be between the ages of 16 and 20 as of July 1, 2012 Strong preference is given to applicants who have previously participated in arts-X-press and/or the Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles You must be able to participate in the mandatory all-day training sessions on June 9 and July 10. You must be available to live on campus for at least one of the following sessions:

Session 1: July 14-18

Session 2: July 21-25

Session 3: July 28-August 1

Applications are being accepted online only – click here to get started. NEW counselors (anyone who has not been a counselor in previous summer) will also need to submit one letter of recommendation - download the recommendation form here. VETERAN counselors who have been on staff for at least one summer only need to complete the application and are not required to submit a recommendation. Applications are due APRIL 2nd. Late applications will NOT be considered. Warning: lack of sleep during arts-X-press may lead to erratic film-making behavior. Check out what tends to happen towards the end of the week:

Alumni Highlight - Ben Paltin

Check it out--2008 alumn Ben Paltin will be appearing in OCHSA's "Performing With The Pros" production with Broadway star Krysta Rodriguez! Ben was selected from a large audition pool to sing one of the principal duets with Rodriguez, who has appeared on Broadway in Addams Family, In the Heights and Spring Awakenings.

Ben will be part of two performances, on January 27 and 28th at 6:00 p.m. at the Margaret A. Webb Theatre in Santa Ana.Tickets are available at www.ocsarts.net/boxoffice .

Got terrific alumni news you'd like to share? Let us know!

AXP 2012!

Do you know a middle school student who would love arts-X-press? Applications are now available for AXP 2012 at www.pacificsymphony.org/arts-x-press! Applicants must currently be in 6th or 7th grade and should love the arts.

Alumnus and veteran counselor James Suazo is excited!

2012 session dates are:
Session 1: July 14-18
Session 2: July 21-25
Session 3: July 28-August 1
We'll be back at Vanguard University once again. Let the magic begin!

New AXP video!

For the first time since 2005, we've been able to update our video! Shouts out to all the students, staff and alumni who participated.

Come back to the Symphony

The crazy hats are packed away, the reunion is done, and everyone is headed back to school...But don't despair. You can keep the magic alive year-round!

Volunteer at Family Musical Mornings - These are our Saturday morning kids' concerts, and we always need lots of help with activities at our Musical Carnival. Have fun and earn volunteer credit hours for school at the same time! E-mail edvolunteer@pacificsymphony.org for more information.

Come to a concert. AXP alumni, friends and family get 50% off tickets to our 2011-12 Classical Connections concerts using promo code AXP2011. Or, sign up for Student Rewards for amazing discounts on Pacific Symphony Pops and Classics concerts.
See you soon!

2011 Reunion

We are psyched for the reunion this Saturday!

Ordered your tickets already? Pick them up between 6:30 and 7:15 at the AXP table next to the box office windows. Don't stand in the long box office line!

Didn't order tickets in advance? Come to Verizon by 7:00 and we'll hook you up! Adult tix are $20, kids are $10. We take check, credit cards, or cash (exact change very much appreciated.)

See you soon!

Click here for more info on Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

Week 1 has already experienced the magic of Verizon. Join the fun!

Who's coming to the reunion?

Are you coming to the reunion? See your buddies, including:

Dorian Angela C. Ashley Eduardo Angelarose Avery Fiama Jenna Daven Sofia V. Alex W. Ellyn Molly Sergio Darlene Amanda T. James Haley Mindy Kevin Allison C Claudia Tim M. Samantha Duncan Olivia Sara Ariana Rochelle Mo Alison R Naomi Kjersti Mariah Steve

Have a friend who's not on the list? Tell them to get their tickets!
Call the hotline at (714) 876-2336 or e-mail arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org to reserve your tickets now!

2011 Reunion

By now, everyone is back at home and unpacked. Are you still sharing the magic?
If you ordered DVDs or photos, they will be mailed at the end of August. Also at the end of August, don't forget about the Class of 2011 Reunion on August 27. Bring the whole family, see your old/new friends, and hear some excellent Duke Ellington played by the Pacific Symphony. All at a discount! Call the hotline at (714) 876-2336 to reserve your tickets, $10 for kids and $20 for adults.
See you soon!

Claire's CE Class

It's Tuesday and we're polishing up our poems and stories for tonight's program. What great "creative expression" it is, too!

We have been participating so many fabulous arts activities. We're all dancing, playing instruments, making art, singing and acting. Yesterday we had an excursion to the amazing Pageant of the Masters and Festival of the Arts and really "got our hands dirty" in the arts. The Pacific Symphony gave us a beautiful concert and the National Choreographers Initiative really inspired our dance movements.

Here are some of the comments and feelings our campers are sharing:

"This is the best summer camp ever!"
"Arts-X-Press is a great way to express yourself in ways you didn't even know
until now."
"Arts-X-Press means everyone is a friend the minute you meet them."
"I feel that I can be myself with all the colors that I am."

Very cool! And I agree!

Laguna Day: The Male Perspective

YO YO YO dawgie fresh! This is the absolutely amazing (so amazing there are only two) male counselors for your wonderful artists this week at the big A-little X-big P! The powers that be have requested our highly advanced blogging skills to update you about our latest adventures on campus and in the Laguna Beach-ey.

Our day started out like any other day in the world of AXP. After a del-oi-cious meal of potatoes, waffles, and bacon (very manly), your artists headed to their Creative Expression classes and creatively expressed themselves. Meanwhile, us counselors had the lovely pleasure of inspecting your young artists dorm rooms. Unfortunately, they aren't as neat and artistic with their rooms as they are in the classroom.

After that they headed to their art workshops for some fun activities with their new buddies. You as parentals have the duty to come and see them on Tuesday to see all that they have learned, and they are all excited to show you what they've created. Let's just say its gonna be big.

AFTER THAT we partied over to the Marvin Caf Memorial Cafeteria for some stroganoff & hearty mac-n-cheese. Then, it was the moment we had all been waiting for.... BATHROOM BREAKS!

Then Laguna!

Ooooooohhhhh Laguna! SO much happened in laguna today that it is the first question you need to ask your children once they return. In between all the backstage tours, raku pot glazing, printmaking, uphill hikes, pizza by the sea, chat with Carl, whale watching, and pageant of the masters watching, all we could do is think that "it's only make believe." (that's us trying to be clever since that was the theme of this year's pageant, go us!)

The best part of the night? the quiet bus ride home from laguna with all the sleeping children. And if they thought today was a long day, just wait til they experience Tuesday. The best of arts-x-press has yet to happen, and it only gets better from here!

Be sure to check out the photos from today below this post for some lovely visual interpretations of all this gobbeledy gook above. Live from the big V, this is James and Sergio, male counselors extraordinaire, signing off. See you at the PP!

Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaa boiiiiiiii!

-James & Sergio

James knows how to get the artists pumped up.

Keely gets ready for the beach.

Billy applies glaze to his Raku pot.

Kerry investigates the tools they use at the Raku station.

Anna watches to see how her print turns out.

Friends!

Kameron is enjoying the weather.

Parent Presentation- Tuesday

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

Inspired by Inspiration

HEEEELLLLLOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!


 This is Edward's Creative X-Pression group-  Today we worked on Acrostic Poems  and learned they are

FUN

and by FUN we mean

Fantastic
Unbelievable and
Nice

Take a look at the beginning of a fusion of our class acrostic poems

Imagination
Naturally
Sparks
Passion
Incredible
Road to Success
A....?
T.....?
I.....?
O...?
N...?


(.... You'll have to come to the parent presentation to hear how they end.....)


Today since we are going to travel to beautiful Laguna Beach to see the Pageant of the Masters,  your loved ones have written imaginative stories that explain the inspiration behind some of the paintings that we will see come to life tonight!!!!

Excitement abounds!!!!