Affiliates in the Desert

08/13/2022

CONGRATULATIONS to David Green on his new position as Palm Springs Unified School District’s new Theater/Performing Arts Manager!

We would like to congratulate David Green on his new position at Palm Springs Unified School District.
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The Board of Education this evening named David Green as the District’s new Theater/Performing Arts Manager. In 2013 Green joined PSUSD where he created and has since directed, our Musical Theater University (MTU) program. MTU provides an opportunity for students from across the valley to experience high caliber, professional training, in musical theater. Green has extensive training in the performing arts, including musical theater and method acting training from the David Craig studio and the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. Throughout his career, Green has produced, staged, written and/or directed over 500 theatrical productions for both professional and educational theater and has been recognized as a top theater educator nationally.

05/09/2022

The LA Phil Affiliates in the Desert in partnership with the Waring International Piano Competition presented a Zoom Salon to meet and listen to the incredible talent of former competition winner Brian Lin. This was offered as a preview for the Waring International Piano Competition in April.

The Waring International Piano Competition held from April 10 through April 18, 2022, was a treat for classical piano aficionados. This celebration of the classical piano brings the best young pianists between the ages of 18 and 31 to Palm Desert.

Brian Lin has been described as “a tremendous virtuoso” by renowned Finnish pianist Matti Raekallio. The Chinese concert pianist and doctoral candidate Brian Lin enjoys a multi-faceted career of not only high-profile performances across four continents, but also as a frequent lecturer and music educator, a co-founder of a media hub, and as an award-winning financial pundit.

Mr. Lin first gained national attention as one of only 20 young artists in the United States to receive the $100,000 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Arts Award. Since then, he has performed on stages across the United States, China, Canada, Korea, France, Australia, and Russia. On the competitive circuit, Mr. Lin earned first-prize finishes at both the Virginia Waring Competition as well as the Lennox International Piano Competition and took Third Prize in the Houston Symphony’s Ima Hogg International Competition, for which he was featured in the Houston Chronicle.

For more information about Brian Lin, click here: www.brianlinmusic.com

05/09/2022

Symphonies for Schools Goes Digital – Supported by The Walt Disney Company. Free, on-demand concert episodes and lesson plans will be available digitally starting today, Monday, May 9, 2022.

Each year, the LA Phil has presented Symphonies for Schools—an exciting, in-person concert experience for students from throughout Los Angeles. These free concerts by the orchestra have been offered to hundreds of thousands of children since the LA Phil’s first season in 1919. The century-long tradition continued through the pandemic in a new, virtual capacity. The LA Phil announced the launch of the second season of digital learning content for elementary and secondary students.

These immersive, on-demand concert videos and lessons plans are available to schools, teachers, families, and youth from around the world at no cost. There is no deadline to register:
www.laphil.com/learn/learning-programs/symphonies-schools

The LA Phil provides students the opportunity to connect to passionate musicians, a world-class orchestra, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

05/09/2022

The LA Phil Affiliates in the Desert celebrated the holidays with a luncheon salon at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage. Cynthia Brogan, our featured violinist, was introduced by past President Mike Napoli.

Ms. Brogan graduated with honors and received degrees in Instrumental Music Performance from College of the Desert and from the California State University, Northridge. A native of the Coachella Valley, she is the Concertmaster of the Coachella Valley Symphony, a private string instructor, and the Applied Violin Instructor at College of the Desert. Cynthia is a member of the American Federation of Musicians and Recording Musicians of America. After her recital she spoke about her experiences teaching and the importance of music education for students of all levels.

Following the luncheon and recital, the Affiliates in the Desert held our second Annual General Membership Meeting. Ricardo Robles, our new President, talked about the importance of music education. “Going behind the scenes to witness the joy and pride YOLA students have for their beloved institution is a breath of fresh air. Here in the Desert, things are no different. We had our online salon series featuring talented musicians and, now, we are fortunate enough to begin our in-person salon luncheons.” Richard Watkins, LA Phil Associate Director of Philanthropy, thanked our members for their participation and for their continuous support of the Affiliates activities.

The incumbent Directors listed below were re-elected for additional one-year terms:
David Freedman
Madalina Garza
Bractzo Ibanez
Ricardo Robles
Richard D. (Rick) Seeley
Charles E. (Chuck) Steinman

Immediate Past President Michael (Mike) Napoli continues to serve on the Board ex-officio, leaving one vacancy on the Board. At the April 13th Board Meeting, the Nominating Committee recommended Steve Weiner to fill the vacancy. Mr. Weiner brings to our Board his legal expertise and extensive background working on the boards of other non-profit music organizations. The Board elected Mr. Weiner to serve as at-large Director for the remainder of 2022.

05/09/2022

Affiliates in the Desert Zoom Salon in Partnership with the Palm Springs Unified School District Foundation Raised $4,160 for Musical Instruments. Saxophonist Vasti Andrade was the Featured Artist.

Our Zoom event raised $4,160 to give to the Palm Spring Unified School District Foundation for the purchase of musical instruments for 3rd through 5th grade students. Pictured here, Ricardo Robles and Mike Napoli present check to Ellen Goodman, PSUSD Foundation Executive Director.

Music lessons help develop organizational and self-discipline skills. Members of bands, ensembles, and orchestras learn about teamwork and collaboration. And the child who is skilled at a musical instrument tends to excel at problem-solving, pattern-recognition, fine- tuned auditory skills, and memorization—not to mention the self-confidence and self-esteem that comes with musical performance. Our budget-strapped schools often can’t afford many so-called “extras” like music lessons. This is where the Affiliates can make a difference.

Vasti Andrade, the featured performer for our Zoom program, is currently a senior at Desert Hot Springs High School and has played the saxophone since 6th grade. She enjoys listening and performing to several genres like Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Classical, Rock, Hymns, Folksongs, Pop, and more! She is involved in the Desert Hot Springs High School bands, volunteers for local community events. She is part of her family band that can be viewed on YouTube: El Rodeo Records.

LA Phil

05/09/2022

Coachella Valley Families Attended the Toyota Symphonies for Youth’s Pan-American Music Program.

The LA Phil Affiliates in the Desert offered 50 free tickets and invited families to take a journey with the LA Phil through the Americas in this Pan American music program highlighting music and traditions from North, South, and Central America.

The Toyota Symphonies for Youth concerts invite children ages 5 to 13 to soak up the sounds of a world-class orchestra while experiencing the thrill of live performance at the world-famous Disney Hall. The series brings the power of music to spark imaginations and shape young lives. Our group had a remarkable time, and we all look forward to going again next year.

03/11/2022

Get Free Tickets to the Toyota Symphonies for Youth Pan-American Music Initiative! Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.

The LA Phil Affiliates in the Desert have obtained 50 tickets to invite families to take a journey with the LA Phil through the Americas in this program highlighting music and traditions from North, South, and Central America. We are offering 4 free tickets per family on a first-come-first-served basis. Additional tickets can be purchased below.

These concerts invite children ages 5 to 13 to soak up the sounds of a world-class orchestra while experiencing the thrill of live performance at the world-famous Walt Disney Concert Hall. The series brings the power of music to spark imaginations and shape young lives.

Schedule for Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.
10:00 am - Pre-Concert Art and Sound Activations
11:00 am - Concert

To obtain free tickets, all you have to do is email your request to: [email protected].

Tickets are going fast, please contact us by Friday, March 18

Please note:
1. For everyone’s safety, masks, proof of full vaccination (final dose 14 days prior), and booster dose (starting Jan. 18 if eligible) are required.
2. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
3. At this time, Walt Disney Concert Hall is unable to welcome guests under the age of 5 who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
4. This program is subject to cancellation by the LA Philharmonic.

For more safety and health info, visit: https://www.laphil.com/faqs/safety-information

03/02/2022

On February 12, Affiliates in the Desert Secretary David Freedman hosted an installment of the LA Phil’s legacy-giving Passing the Baton workshop.

The Founder and Principal of Heritage Legal, PC, Christopher Heritage, presented case studies around common estate planning mistakes for all, with particular focus on LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

Following the presentation, guests enjoyed a musical performance by LA Phil musician Marion Arthur Kuszyk, oboe.
Thank you to everyone who joined us!

03/02/2022

LA Phil Affiliates in the Desert had the opportunity to participate as volunteers for the Toyota Symphonies for Youth on February 19. Our President, Ricardo Robles, spent an amazing morning helping with children activities before the concert.

This is a great opportunity for the Affiliates membership to participate on LA Phil’s activities. Let us know if you want to volunteer.

We will be sponsoring students from the Coachella Valley to attend April 2nd concert of Toyota Symphonies for Youth. Stay tuned!

“At the LA Phil, we believe in the power of music to spark imaginations and shape young lives. Our Toyota Symphonies for Youth (TSFY) concerts invite children ages 5 to 11 to soak up the sounds of a world-class orchestra while experiencing the thrill of live performance.” - LA Phil

02/07/2022

The Super Bowl will be more than just a football game, it will also feature award-winning artists during pre-game, an LA youth orchestra and a special flyover!

Super Bowl Sunday is not only guaranteed to be a great football experience, but the pre-game show featuring Grammy-nominated artists, the LA Phil youth orchestra and a "first-of-its-kind flyover" by the U.S. Air Force will also be a show stopper.

04/13/2021

Dust off the seat cushion and grab your picnic basket. The Hollywood Bowl is coming back! The 2021 season will officially kick off in early July.

After a canceled season in 2020 — the first in 98 years — the Bowl will reopen with free shows for healthcare, grocery and other essential workers.

10/28/2020

With little presence the past six months, the L.A. Phil has stepped up its game with recordings and Dudamel virtual Hollywood Bowl concerts.