The Best Concert. EVER.

So I haven't written in a few minutes. Okay the whole season, but never mind that. I was inspired to jump online immediately and blog about the amazing holiday concert PCYO performed. It was the best one, like, ever.

Even with newcomers, all that hard work for the past few years has sharpened PCYO into a well-oiled machine! The orchestral pieces were complicated, but tight. The solos? Captivating! The parents? Beaming! The feeling? Merry!

CONGRATULATIONS PCYO AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Summer 2010 Concert

"Be a light and shine," they advised. And PCYO did. They were lights. And they shone. Tears!

I had the privilege of catching the summer concert this Friday, where students and instructors showed off their hard work. Making their parents proud and their minds sharper, the kids blew me away.

To see the concert photos I took when I wasn't staring proudly with my mouth dropped open, click HERE!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

Below photo: Camille & Robert preparing for band camp
at the Regan Cabin

SUMMER CAMP STARTS MONDAY!

Are you excited? You should be. You will be collaborating on a song that's a smash hit on the airwaves. But I won't spill it - you'll have to wait for it.

Speaking of waiting, a few of you still have instruments and need to return them. Please remember that PCYO works on donations, and most of those instruments were donated by people who wanted to make a difference in kids' lives. Your contribution/return will help pave the way for a new kid eager to be exposed to the arts and learn how to play. Please swing by with your instrument any time next week! Pretty please?

In the meantime, please enjoy this newsletter that Rosa and her sons created last year around Summer Camp time.

Spring Concert Photos

Greetings PCYO! The 2010 Spring Concert photos are ready to be viewed, and you can see them right HERE.

PS) Don't forget to sign up for summer camp!

Love & music,

Fayeruz

All Kinds of Business!!!

Okay, where do I start?

Popular answer: At the beginning

Okay....

Once upon a time, there was this Youth Orchestra, and they had so many exciting things going on, that the blogger had a hard time keeping track. The blogger obviously needed coffee, but was still excited to write about...

SUMMER CAMP!

Our most popular summer program is back! Why get pale in front of the TV when you can enjoy sunshine, music training, food and field trips? It's from August 9-13th. Apply right now on the PCYO website right HERE!

THE BIG CONCERT!

It's on May 29th! Hang in there, keep coming on Saturdays, practice at home and make your mama proud! Hopefully you took advantage of Robert and Camille's precious weekend time they put aside. Instead of sleeping in, they came to PCYO early to help students individually. Still need help? Talk to them!

THE PCYO WALK-A-THON!!

Here's a note from that foxy PCYO instructor Robert:

PCYO, through its host nonprofit organization, LCEC, is planning a Walk-a-Thon fundraiser for this September. We hope to raise a significant portion of PCYO's Fall 2010-Spring 2011 budget through this fundraiser. As you all know, the cost of putting a student through our program is many times more than the registration fee, which means most of our support comes through grants and fundraisers. In other words, we're counting on this Walk-a-Thon to carry us through the next Fall and Spring seasons.

Planning a Walk-a-Thon is a lot of work--fun, and at times tedious--and any help we can get will greater guarantee its running smoothly. We are thus calling on our friends and families to help us in making our 2010 Walk-a-Thon a success. Please let us know if you or anyone else is willing to help us plan and/or execute the 2010 Walk-a-Thon. We will have a volunteer sign-up sheet on the table at this week's rehearsal (5/22); and we will also be making an announcement at the concert (5/29).

Thank you,
Robert Regan
Assistant Director

Where do I wrap this up?
Popular answer: At the end

...then PCYO practiced hard, gave a great show and a tear was brought to everyone's eye. The summer camp was a success, and PCYO raised a ton of money during their Walk-a-Thon. Then they all lived happily ever after.

- THE END -

Sonja Einmen Rocks the Walt Disney Concert Hall

Our very own PCYO Rock Star and Student Leader Sonja Einem is a proud member of the Renaissance Arts Academy Orchestra and Choir. These guys are such a big deal, they were invited by The Los Angeles Philharmonic (otherwise known as "L.A. Phil") to the Youth Orchestra Festival. PCYO loaded up some vans, got excused early and made a pilgrimage to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to see them bring the house down! I know everybody likes to make a big deal about how cool the Walt Disney Concert Hall looks, but it still seems like a crumpled ball of aluminum foil to me!

The set was great, but the one song that gave everyone goosebumps? O Fortuna, from Carmina Burana. It was both haunting and beautiful.

I get goosebumps even listening to this intense version from Harry Potter. Check it out right HERE!

Bravo Sonja! ...Wait, is that you talking on your cell phone?!?!!?

Madness! Mayhem! It's the PCYO Picnic!

Hey Karl - that's not a saxophone!

Deciding to terrorize children, we wonder what kind of saxophone instructor would resort to such violent methods. Did Mr. Crazycakes lose his mind? Is this his tactic for getting kids to practice more? Maybe he should quit this gig and join the military! But wait - we need him! ...Or do we?

Thank You ROSA!

I must give a shout out to PCYO Supermom ROSA. She is always supporting the crew on Saturdays, emphasizing the fun in education for her children, and on a personal note, she hooks me up with the coolest photos ever! She gives me so many great pics of you rock stars, I want to blog about you all the time! But I have one of those job thingies, so....

ANYWAY - here is my favorite from Rosa's collection!

Here is her son Yael, who won a school art competition and had his painting showcased in a Santa Monica gallery. He even got to sell his painting! We were so proud, we went to see it ourselves.

Way to go Yael!

The Picnic is coming! The Picnic is coming!

I heard that a lot of rock stars were missing last Saturday. I hope this isn't the case for the picnic! Who wouldn't want to enjoy an afternoon of warm sunshine, sizzling burgers and... a revolt, maybe? That's the rumor, rock stars. Like I said in my last post, all you naughty rock stars are rumored to be planning a water balloon attack - and we are READY. We DARE you. Mwah ha hAAAA!

PCYO Picnic Revolt???

Well, well, well PCYO.

A little birdie told me that PCYO students are planning a revolt. Is this true? Are we really to be bombarded with water balloons? Well we've got our umbrellas, raincoats and waterproof masacara - so BRING IT.

Picnic Details
Where: Farnsworth Park
When: April 17th
Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Former PCYO Rock Stars...on TV!

Hey PCYO! Remember former PCYO Rock Stars Pepe & Justus Bradshaw? They scored a TV commercial! Check it out right here and click on the first module!

Another PCYO Night Out

PCYO rock star Sebastian and his parents joined up with Robert, Camille and Safoa for yet another night on the town. They took in a Mozart symphony, and it was a night to remember. See the attached photos!

OOPS! Correction!

The next PCYO class will be held NEXT Saturday, not this Saturday. Everything will be back on (French fries and all) on March 6th!

Sorry for any confusion!

For those who love FRENCH FRIES....

Pay VERY close attention to class this Saturday - Camille and Robert will be handing out some very delicious prizes. But ONLY to those who have been practicing, and the ones who can answer their questions correctly. Good luck!

Big Surprise for PCYO Rock Star Sonja Einem!

Our PCYO rock star Sonja Einem received an exciting surprise when Jamie Foxx and Dominic Monaghan strolled into their school to give them all new musical instruments!

Not only were brand new instruments donated to four Los Angeles schools, but our very own Sonja Einem (sporting an edgy new hairstyle) was interviewed on Fox 11. See the clip right HERE.

The instruments were donated by Fidelity Investments as part of its 2010 FutureStage music program. With funding for arts and music in L.A. Unified schools being sliced in half this year, this news could not have come at a better time.

A PCYO Night Out

What happens when you keep practicing your instrument? You get to perform on stage or in the orchestra for a delighted audience. Last week, we got to be part of a delighted audience! It was a big PCYO night out for Camille, Robert, Safoa, Daniel, Bethany and friends. A famous supermodel even tagged along! She's in the middle. Isn't she beeeeeeaaaautiful?

PCYO instructors had a night on the town to see The Mikado at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. Does the gentleman in the below photo look familiar? That's because you've seen him around campus on Saturdays - he rehearses for his mindblowing and stupendous shows just down the hall. It's the infamous Richard Sheldon!

PS) Don't forget, bring along your family and friends to PCYO for open enrollment. They're taking new students until February 6th!