Building the Next Generation Through Music
The La Mirada Symphony joined young musicians from the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District for its first High School Honor Orchestra.
On March 14, 2019, La Mirada Symphony Conductor Alan Mautner had the pleasure of being one of the conductors for the first-ever Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District High School Honor Orchestra, with a special performance at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
In pursuit of our mission to engage youth through music education, three members of the La Mirada Symphony ran sectionals for Mautner to enhance the students’ learning experience. Joseph Kaye, Chad Jackson and Heriberto Ramos spent an afternoon with the students of each section, providing guidance and leadership as the young musicians prepared for their performance.
Connecting Students With the Symphony
The Honor Orchestra offered students something that goes beyond rehearsal alone: the opportunity to learn directly from working musicians and conductors while preparing to perform together on the stage of the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
For the La Mirada Symphony Association, participating in programs like this is part of a larger commitment to keeping orchestral music connected to the community and making music education accessible to the next generation.
“We hope we can continue to be a positive force with the local schools.”David Derks · President, La Mirada Symphony Association
“We were very excited to be a small part of the Norwalk-La Mirada School District’s music program,” said David Derks, President of the La Mirada Symphony Association. “Through our initiatives with education and learning, we hope we can continue to be a positive force with the local schools and remain focused on building our Youth Program through participation with the local school district.”
Learning From Guest Conductors
Other guest conductors during the event included Jack Taylor, Jill Geist and Gregory Whitmore, who provided a great learning experience for the students and life-long learners.
Congratulations to the wonderful students who performed and to their dedicated Music Directors.
About the La Mirada Symphony’s Youth Program
The La Mirada Symphony Association engages in active music participation of middle and high schoolers by connecting them with the Symphony.
Through the La Mirada Symphony’s Youth Program, audiences are given opportunities to not only hear the sounds of all of the instruments on stage, individually and collectively, but also encouraged to participate on stage with the Symphony through instrumental musical performances.
Many students have been inspired in past seasons to play instruments themselves and are ready to add music to their curriculum at school.
Music Belongs to the Next Generation
The La Mirada Symphony Association believes that experiencing music firsthand can open doors for young musicians — whether they are discovering an instrument for the first time or preparing to step onto the concert stage.
Our Youth Program is part of the Symphony’s continuing commitment to music education, participation and creating meaningful connections between professional musicians and students in our community.
Explore Our Education Program