Mira Costa Symphony, Philharmonic orchestras perform concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall

By Madison Braybrooke
Staff Writer

The Mira Costa Symphony Orchestra completed a two-year program with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Mentorship Program on Sunday when orchestra performed at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

The Costa Orchestra went through a two-part audition in order to become a part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic program, in which the orchestra works with musicians from the program and with the L.A. Phil Teaching Artists in preparation for their concert.

“The Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the best acoustic halls in the world,” Orchestra Director Peter Park said. “All of their hard work has fallen into place.”

In addition to the Symphony Orchestra, the Costa Philharmonic Orchestra was featured in “Adagio in G minor for Strings and Organ Continuo” by Remi Giazatto.

“Everyone worked so hard, and when you perform you get something indescribable that you can’t get anywhere else,” sophomore violist Rebecca Bacich said.

At the concert, the Symphony Orchestra presented a solo program featuring classical music and an original composition, “New/Old,” by Richard An. In addition, the orchestra performed “Academic Festival Overture Op. 80” by Johannes Brahms and “Capriccio Espagnol” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

“The performance was beyond expectations,” audience member Dewayne Moore said. “I’m looking forward to next year’s performances with great anticipation.”

Mira Costa is one of four high schools to have won a spot in the L.A. Phil program and is the only public school.

“It was a pleasure to be given this opportunity,” junior violinist Margarit Moore said. “It was extra special knowing that not everyone is invited to play at the hall, and not everyone is given the chance to be mentored by the L.A. Phil.”

The Costa Symphony orchestrahopes to improve and receive the opportunity to perform at the Disney Concert Hall again in the future.

“I know we have talented musicians who take on amazing challenges and always strive for excellence,” Park said. “In life, you don’t know what opportunities are waiting, and you have to be prepared.”