Starting tonight, the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts of Culver City High School will present two spring music concerts, giving all of its instrumental and vocal ensembles a chance to share with the Culver City community works they have rehearsed and performed throughout the semester.
Tonight’s performance and next Friday’s concert both start at 7 o’clock in the Robert Frost Auditorium on campus.
Admission is free. Donations always are welcome.
Tonight: AVPA Showcase featuring smaller ensembles, including The Jazz Combo, Sax Ensemble, and several chamber music ensembles. The Jazz Combo has been making the rounds throughout the community.
In addition to its annual entertaining gigs for the Culver City Education Foundation at “Sip for Our Schools” in October and “Tribute to the Stars” at Sony Pictures in May, the group also was a hit at the Culver City Mayor’s Luncheon and the PTSA Honorary Service Awards. The Jazz Combo and Sax Ensemble have been under the instruction of Dr. David Brennan, AVPA faculty member.
Next Friday: Large Ensemble Concert celebrating the talents of the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and several chamber music ensembles. The Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble recently performed at the Music in the Parks Festival. Both ensembles won first place in their categories, as well as receiving ratings of “Excellent.” The Concert Band also performed at the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Assn. Festival in March, receiving a rating of “Excellent” for their performance, and “Superior” for their sight-reading.
On this concert, the Concert Band will feature two “theatre” works. “Cave of the Winds” by Russell Peck gives the band a chance to move around the stage, accompanied by lighting designed by our student designers. “Liquid Compass” is an electroacoustic work by composer Alex Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro has created a recorded soundtrack to accompany the live Concert Band, creating a fascinating atmosphere for the piece.
The Chamber Singers performed at Walt Disney Concert Hall on May 1 as part of the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s High School Choir Festival. More than 900 choral students from throughout the region performed several works in the hallowed hall. Three members of the Chamber Singers — Isabel Parra, Alberto Cruz, and Niko Vlahakis — were selected to perform as part of the festival’s Honor Choir.
Various chamber music ensembles have been rehearsing throughout the spring and will perform different repertoire over both concerts. They are under the direction of String Ensemble director Dr. Tania Fleischer. The Chamber Singers are directed by Danielle Koplinka-Loehr and Dr. Spano, who also directs the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble.
School District Funds New Marching Band Uniforms: The Centaur Marching Band, which is the Concert Band after football season, has been granted the opportunity to order new band uniforms for the fall.
See avpa.org
Dr. Spano may be contacted at TonySpano@ccusd.org