Pacific Symphony’s ARTS-X-PRESS Hosts Middle-School Students for Summer Workshops

About to head into its 12th summer, Pacific Symphony's ARTS-X-PRESS once again hosts 150 middle-school students for three weeks of workshops, excursions and activities designed to promote creativity and love of the arts-beginning Saturday, July 14. While it may seem surprising for a symphony orchestra to offer a program that includes dance, theater, visual art and vocal music in addition to instrumental music, the format was inspired by music director Carl St.Clair. When the Symphony's maestro talks with ARTS-X-PRESS students, he recalls how many artistic disciplines-not just music-influenced his creative development. Inspired by this philosophy, this innovative, interdisciplinary program was founded in 2001, in celebration of Cole Carsan St.Clair, and has since graduated more than 1,600 creative, artistically active alumni.

"We are unique in that we offer students a chance to experience five different art forms in a non-competitive environment," says Molly Pontin, director of community arts participation. "Our focus is on taking creative risks, not creating a finished production. Each week offers each student a chance to participate actively in all of the art forms no matter what their background."

The aim of ARTS-X-PRESS is for students to gain a life-long connection to the arts, and to foster respect for each student's individuality, interests and diverse heritage. Students are nominated by their teachers, and financial aid is offered in order to ensure that students from all parts of Orange County may attend. Tuition covers about 40 percent of the program's costs, with the balance funded by individual donations. During their ARTS-X-PRESS week, students live and sleep overnight in the dorms at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. Each day, resident faculty members lead a variety of arts workshops which encourage students to take creative risks in a positive and nurturing environment. Daily excursions (such as to PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS and other local productions) offer the opportunity to attend performances and meet singers, actors, dancers, artists and musicians.

Arts partners including Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Chance Theater, PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS, Musical Theater West, Irvine Barclay Theatre and Laguna Playhouse go to great lengths to support these young artists, offering ticket discounts, talk-backs, backstage tours and occasionally even extra performances to accommodate the busy ARTS-X-PRESS schedule.

"PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS is always a highlight, because there's nothing else like it," says Pontin. "Also, kids every year report meeting Carl as one of the most memorable parts of the program (but they don't know about this yet, because it's a surprise!)

"The program continues to get stronger the older it gets," continues Pontin. "We have many faculty members who return year after year, and we have a steady stream of alumni who become outstanding counselors. Because we have the full support of people who love and know the program so well, we are able to improve every year. We also get an increasing number of applicants every year as more teachers throughout the county become aware of this excellent opportunity. We continually find new ways to make sure every student is able to have a meaningful, successful experience in every art form, no matter what their past experience may be."

For many students, the supportive environment of ARTS-X-PRESS is among their first opportunities to explore their creativity and try new things. Each student may attend ARTS-X-PRESS only once, but many alumni return as program counselors and as volunteers for other Symphony programs; a few have even gone on to become members of the Symphony staff. Many students keep in touch, letting the Symphony know they are still active in the arts and have fond memories of this unique opportunity to explore the arts.

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