Application Deadline

Don't forget!  Counselor applications for AXP 2010 are due on April 1, no exceptions.  This includes your letter of recommendation.

Week 2, 2008

Calling all Counselors

Do you want to be an arts-X-press counselor?  Will you be between the ages of 16 and 20 as of July 1, 2010?  We are now accepting applications for this summer!  E-mail us at arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org with "Counselor Application Request" in the subject line to request application materials.  The deadline is April 1st, and applications will only be accepted via e-mail.

 Join the ranks of fabulous counselors like these, from 2009, Week 3

We also need some help from our Veteran Counselors to welcome our new AXPers.  Please let us know if you are available to help at any of these spring registration meetings:

Monday, March 29, 7-8:30 pm
Newport Mesa District Office

Tuesday, March 30, 7-8:30 pm
Irvine District Office

Wednesday, March 31 7-8:30 pm
Placentia-Yorba Linda District Office

Thursday, April 1, 7-8:30 pm
Garden Grove District Office

Monday, April 12, 7-8:30 pm
Santa Ana District Office

Thursday, April 15, 7-8:30 pm
Capistrano District Office

AXP Alumni News - Ben Paltin

You may remember him from AXP 2008 as Ben-jammin'.  AXP alumn Ben Paltin was voted the Grand Prize Winner by the audience at the recent Queen Mary's First Annual Salsa Expo.  Check out his amazing Matrix move (Ben is the one in the fedora.):

Ben also "auctioned" his performance of two songs during his recent bar mitzvah reception and is donating the auction proceeds to AXP!

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

AXP 2010 - Now Accepting Applications!

We are now accepting applications for AXP 2010!

Anyone who is currently in 6th or 7th grade and lives or attends school in Orange County is eligible to apply.  Get more information and an application form at the Pacific Symphony website: www.pacificsymphony.org/arts-x-press .  Applications must be received in the Symphony office by February 12.

 

Aspiring counselors, you're next!  If you will be between the ages of 16 and 21 as of July 1, 2010, keep your eyes open for counselor applications at the beginning of March.  Make sure we have your current contact info--if you've moved or changed your e-mail address, make sure you let us know.

AXP 10 years later

How amazing is it to look at the very first week of arts-X-press in 2001 and know that so many people are still around as of 2009?  Can you spot these people in the 2001 photo?

AXP 2009: 

Phillip Womack (2001- counselor, 2009- visual art instructor)

Eddie Oliver (2001-2009 instrumental music instructor ) with Carl and Susan St.Clair

Mollie Fry Gilmore (2001 counselor , now a PS staff member) with Jack Meza (AXPer 2002, counselor 2005-2008, Coordinator 2009)

Garret Wehrman (AXPer 2001, and as of 2009 the veteran counselor with the most experience of any counselor EVER!)

AXP Celebrates 10 years in 2010

AXP Session 1, 2001

In 2010, AXP will be ten years old!  That's right--the first ever class of arts-X-pressers joined the fun in July of 2001.
You can help us celebrate!  Please e-mail arts-X-press@pacificsymphony.org if you want to help plan the 10th Anniversary festivities, or if you know how we can contact any arts-X-press alumn who have lost touch.  Stay tuned for more information on the 10-year Reunion coming in September 2010.

AXP Updates

We can't believe we're almost to December!  Here's the latest and greatest in AXP news.

Applications for AXP 2010 will be distributed to schools and posted online in February, and we are always thrilled to have references from alumni.

Will you be 16 by July 1, 2010?  Come back to be a counselor!  Counselor applications will be available in March 2010.


Congratulations to 2 members of the AXP family!
Former counselor Adrian Noack has joined the full-time Pacific Symphony staff as the Manager of Youth Ensembles.  And Manager Molly Buzick got married and will henceforth be known as Molly Pontin.

Got news to share?  Let us know!  We love to share concerts, recitals, and other accomplishments with the AXP blogosphere.

Halloween Spooktacular!

Trick or treat!  Make sure that the 5-10 year olds in your life don't miss the musical thrills and chills at this weekend's Family Musical Mornings Halloween Spooktacular.  Tickets are still available at www.pacificsymphony.org .

We can always use more volunteers to assist in running the Musical Carnival during Family Musical Mornings, and we love to see AXP alumni and their families!  If you are interested in volunteering on the following dates, e-mail musicalcarnival@pacificsymphony.org.  Volunteers must be at least 13 years old.

Family Musical Mornings 2009-10

October 17, 2009
December 12, 2009
February 6, 2010
March 20, 2010
April 17, 2010

Reunion

It was so great to see 157 alumni, counselors, staff, friends and family at the 2009 reunion!!

Helpful Reunion Info

We can't wait to see everyone at the reunion! Here's some info that will help you get to where the fun is:
September 12
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Pick up your tickets between 6:30-7 at the arts-X-press table near the front gate.
Bring a blanket or low lawn chairs (seats are on the lawn), a picnic or snacks, and a jacket.
Wear your arts-X-press t-shirt!
Parking is $8
The concert begins at 8 pm and will finish at approximately 10:15.

Haven't ordered your tickets yet? Don't worry--we'd still love to have you. Call the hotline at (714) 876-2336 as soon as possible and plan to pay by cash, check, or charge tomorrow night.

Map to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre:


View Larger Map

AXP 2009 Reunion

Don't miss the chance to see your friends, teachers and counselors at the AXP 2009 Reunion on September 12 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater! Call the hotline at (714) 876-2336 or e-mail arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org to get tickets at a special AXP discount.
And make sure you keep in touch for details about the all-AXP 10 Year Anniversary celebration in 2010!

For 3 days only - 50% Off All 2009-10 Pacific Symphony Tickets!

Only until August 31, Pacific Symphony celebrates the launch of its new website by offering 2009-10 tickets at 50% off! That's half price for the Halloween Spooktacular and Nutcracker for Kids, half price to see world-renowned pianist Andre Watts or pops sensation Pink Martini. So move fast to take advantage of this terrific deal at the new and improved www.pacificsymphony.org!

Are you coming to the reunion?

Re-capture the magic and see your friends, teachers and counselors, AND see the Pacific Symphony's Tchaikovsky Spectacular for a special discount price! Don't miss the AXP 2009 Reunion on September 12 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. Student tickets are $11, adults are $22, and the AXP discount is only available by calling (714) 876-2336 or e-mailing arts-x-press@pacificsymphony.org. Make sure you let us know how many student and adult tickets you need and how you will be paying. You can pick up your tickets on concert night from the AXP table near the front gate. We hope to see you there!

Photos and DVDs

It's hard to believe another year of arts-X-press is already over! If you didn't get a chance to order photos and DVDs at the parent presentation, please e-mail us and we will send you an order form (yeah, we're OLD SCHOOL--you can't order over the web!) Look for your photos and DVDs in the mail around mid-September.

AXP in the news!

Guess who's in the Daily Pilot for August 11? Check it out!

Parent Presentation and Talent Show

Buon giorno, it's counselor Kelly. Today was amazing!!! Thank you to all of the parents, relatives and friends for coming out to support the students tonight!

But the fun didn't stop there! After the parent presentation the students participated in a talent show put on by the counselors. The acts ranged from singing solos to comedy skits to card tricks. The big surprise came at the end when the counselors put on a surprise skit and dance!

Wait! That's not all! How can you pack in breakfast, an art workshop, creative expression, lunch, a music workshop, a dance workshop, dinner, pictures, a parent performance, a talent show and another suprise event all in one day? Arts-x-press magic! Our last day conlcuded with a dance party!!! Slide to the left, slide to the right, take it back now y'all.

See you at the bus stop tomorrow and remember to ask your student about their magic moment.

Parent Presentation

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at tonight's parent presentation!
6:45 pm
Vanguard University
55 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa
The presentation is in the events tent adjacent to Heath Academic Center. Enter campus on Civic Center Dr. from Fair Dr. and go straight, and you will see the big white tent to your left. Parking is free. Come see what your amazing kids have experienced over the last 4 days!

Pageant of the Masters

Hey everyone! This is Alie and Lexi, counselors here at AXP! Today was a long, but really fun day! After our arts workshops and creative expression classes, we had lunch with many musicians from the Pacific Symphony, and the kids learned a lot about them and their jobs. Right after lunch, we headed straight to Laguna for the Pageant of the Masters and the Festival of the Arts. We took a tour of backstage for the Pageant of the Masters to see how all of the show's magic comes together. The kids really enjoyed seeing all of the different costumes, make-up, and set pieces up close. After our V.I.P. tour, we went to glaze our own pottery and make other forms of visual art that the kids are going to love showing their parents! After that, we walked all the way up to a park on the cliffs of Laguna that overlooked the ocean. All of the kids enjoyed playing games, being evaluated on their rooms (the scores were a little scary), and prepping for the talent show. After we ate dinner, we were so priviledged to be able to meet Carl St. Clair and listen to his inspirational advice for future artists. We then walked back to the Festival and got to appreciate more beautiful pictures, sculptures, and lots of other artwork. Finally, we watched the Pageant. The kids really liked the show, and couldn't stop talking about it. Now, they are all peacefully asleep and maybe dreaming about the show :). They can't wait for tomorrow when they'll get to see their parents and show off what they've been learning! See you soon!

Day 1 & 2

Day 1- Games "Human Knot"

Shark Attacckkkk-do-do-do-do

Laguna Playhouse

Lunch Time

It has been an adventurous 2 days! It is so amazing to see the transformation these kids are going through. We had a wonderful evening at Verizon Amphitheatre witnessing Carmina Burana in all its glory led by Carl St. Clair alongside the Pacific Symphony.

Tonight we had a bonding activity where the students shared who they appreciated and most appreciated their parents so you all should be proud! :) Earlier, we saw "My Way" at the Laguna Playhouse (as photographed above). It was a tribute to the one and only, Frank Sinatra, and was an entertaining show with classic hits.

All the students are making new friends and are taking advantage of the opportunities thrown at them. Tomorrow will be an exciting and fun-filled day. We will be attending the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna. Stay tuned for more counselor updates! See you Tuesday!

Mo & Tim

Counselor Extraordinaires

Arts workshops

We've been having loads of fun in all of our arts workshops, singing songs on the bus, and on our excursions. Stay tuned for a counselor update!