By Luke Trimble
Staff Writer
Last school year, as many studentswere preparing for summer vacation, Mira Costa’s orchestrateacher, Peter Park, was hard atwork compiling a musical application for the much-sought-afteropportunity to form a partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
The audition process was very much like applying to college. After submitting their application in June, the Mira Costa symphony orchestra granted the partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Orchestra.
“All of those long hours of practice finally paid off, and we managed to beat the competition,” senior Justin Yu said.
Three musical pieces were selected to showcase Mira Costa’s talent: “Fantasia on Green Sleeves” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, a movement from “Serenade for Strings” by Josef Suk and the “Russian Easter Overture”
by Nikolai Rinsky-Korsekov and “Symphonic Metamorphasis” by Paul Hindemith.
“Symphonic Metamorphasis” is a complex symphony which can prove to be difficult for even the most advanced professionals.
Four musicians from the Philharmonic held a live audition in mid October. After the two-round
audition process, the Mira Costa symphony orchestra was chosen as one of four top youth orchestras
in the greater Los Angeles area. The orchestra received a “premiere status” partnership with the L.A. Philharmonic.
“The musical programs at this school are really impressive,” senior Gianni Barbera said. “It’s nice to get some positive recognition for their hard work our students have earned.”
Typically, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is reserved for professionals and can cost a lot to reserve; however, with a premiere title, the orchestra will be allowed to use it free of charge. Premiere status includes a twoyear partnership with the Philharmonic Orchestra.
Students in the program will have access to resources that were previously unavailable. Such resources include free coaching from the professional artists, free highly valued tickets and the use of a world class music hall. Either this spring or the nex
year, the students will be invited to the next performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in recognition of their efforts, which is an outstanding opportunity for any high school musical group.
“This is such a wonderful opportunity for students to gauge their musical skills under the guidance of a world-class ensemble,” Park said. “An established partnership with an organization of this stature is such a great honor that took a lot of work, but it is rewarding to be recognized for our potential, and the students have absolutely earned this.”
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