By Adam Sevier
Staff Writer
Orchestras within the Manhattan Beach School District elementary schools, middle school and high school performed at the All-District Orchestra Festival in Mira Costa’s auditorium on Feb. 2.
The Fifth Grade Combined Orchestra and the Elementary Honor String Orchestra, consisting of 4th and 5th graders, represented the elementary schools. The middle school musicians directed by orchestra teacher Denise Haslop and the high school students directed by orchestra teacher Peter Park also performed.
Visit the Grammy award-winning Mira Costa Orchestra’s website
“I think it’s really fun to be able to see the progression from the elementary school all the way to all of us in Symphony, and the kids in Chamber,” Costa senior Katie Tominaga said. “It also makes me happy that I’ve continued to play for so long, knowing that I started out just like the little kids.”
The Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the All-District orchestra festival which took place in the Costa auditorium on Feb. 2nd. The Philharmonic Orchestra performed a piece by Danza Oscura.
A total of eight groups of different age and skill performed at the orchestra festival. The Chamber Orchestras of both the middle and high school performed the song “Suite For Strings” by John Rutter together.
Mira Costa Orchestra performing Symphony No. 5 in E minor
“At the concert, you get to see the whole ladder of musical opportunities from the elementary to the high school level,” Park said. “It really sinks into the audience members that this is a life-changing experience for these kids.”
Photos: Students of all levels perform at MBUSD’s All-District Festival
The songs that were performed at the concert varied in genre and style, such as the “Can-Can” by Jacques Offenbach and “Teddy Bears’ Picnic” by John W. Bratton. The concert consisted of 10 songs in total, including the last one, “Simple Square Dance” by Dorothy Straub, which was played by all the levels together.
“This concert is all about connecting, encouraging and using that music to tie everyone together,” Park Said. “It’s important for the younger musicians to be inspired, and for the older musicians to reflect on their beginnings as young musicians.”
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