Speaking of competitions and festivals, our Symphonic Orchestra and Concert Choir will also be attending music festivals in March and April. On March 23, our orchestra will perform at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in the Orange County Orchestra Festival. On March 12, our Concert Choir will participate in the Loyola Marymount University Choral Festival and on April 27, in the L.A. Master Chorale High School Festival. This event will mark the last performance of Maestro Paul Salamunovich as director and conductor of the Master Chorale. These festivals are free and open to the public.
Music festivals serve a very important function in music education.
They allow students to be adjudicated by professional musicians and educators and allow students to listen to other outstanding groups. I can't begin to tell you what an exciting project this is. Under the direction of Ms. Stephanie Vlahos, our students perform opera at a caliber that rivals most top universities. I hope all of you will make every effort to come support these outstanding students and witness opera come alive. The Luckman Auditorium will again host this year's concert.