On Saturday, August 10th, the Tuition-Free Music Ensembles took over the Courtyard Stage to present “Summer Sounds,” a wonderful evening of music including performances by LAMusArt’s Youth Orchestra, Choir, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensembles and the debut of the newest Tuition-Free offering, the Composition Fellowship.
The first ensemble to take the stage was the Youth Orchestra, directed by Isaac Schanno Johnson. The Youth Orchestra performed wonderful pieces such as a How to Train Your Dragon Medley by John Powell and selections from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Youth Orchestra then played “The McNugget Man Dance”, composed by inaugural Composition Fellowship student, David Sandoval (who is also an integral member of the Orchestra and the Jazz Ensemble). David stated the piece was an ode to one of his favorite foods and encouraged everyone to dance along to the beat.
Following the Orchestra’s set was a performance from LAMusArt’s very own Jazz Ensemble. The Jazz Ensemble is led by Dr. Isaac Lopez, crossover classical/jazz saxophonist who teaches private saxophone lessons at LAMusArt as well. The ensemble performed renditions of “All The Things You” are by Ella Fitzgerald and “A Night in Tunisia” by John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie as well as “Soleded y El Mar” by Natalia Lafourcade.
Next to take the stage was Rubi Castillo’s Beginning Strings Ensemble! Castillo has helmed the Mariachi ensembles for nearly two years, and now directs the Strings Ensembles in addition to private violin lessons. Her Beginning Strings Ensemble performed “Prelude Suite: March,” “Cradle Song,” “Playtime” and closed out their set with “At The Park” by Lee Bursworld. Isaac Johnson’s Advanced String Ensemble followed and performed “Fugue” by Bach, “St. Anthony Chorale” by Haydn, “Fantasy on Simple Gifts” by Robert Kerr and “Canon in D” by Pachelbel.
Closing out the night was the LAMusArt Choir, directed by Melina Adragna, and accompanied by Nicholas Mendez Del Valle. The Choir performed cheerful renditions of “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys, a lovely take on “Blackbird” by The Beatles, “Jubilate Deo,” “Remember Me” from Disney’s Coco, and “Journey to the Past” by Lynn Ahrens and composer Stepehen Flaherty. The group ended their set with a surprise for the audience - a delightful balloon drop at the end of “Spirit of Adventure” by Michale Giacchino from Disney’s UP!!
LAMusArt thanks the Teaching Artists for putting in endless commitment for their classes and to all the attendees who showed up to support our talented students! We look forward to seeing you at our next show!
The Tuition-Free Music Ensembles program is funded in part by Colburn Foundation, the CA Arts Council, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the Friars Charitable Foundation, the Eastside Arts Initiative, the Find Your Light Foundation, the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts, the Snap Foundation and the Union Pacific Foundation.
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