Irvine students sing out for honors concert

Nearly 700 of the top musicians in Irvine’s elementary, middle and high schools recently performed their hearts out at the 33rd annual Donald Bren Honors Concert.

The students took the stage at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in April to sing and play music for almost 2,000 guests. The Irvine Public Schools Foundation and the Irvine Unified School District join in arranging the concert each year.

“We hold this concert to demonstrate the importance of music programs for students,” foundation President Neda Eaton said.

In addition to acknowledging the district’s student talent, the event also recognizes Irvine Co. Chairman Donald Bren and his contributions to Irvine’s music programs. The Donald Bren Foundation and the Irvine Co. have provided $20 million to support art, music and science programs in the district, according to a Donald Bren Foundation representative.

In January, each school site in the district held concert auditions for fifth to 12th graders. The students were divided into performance groups for elementary, middle and high schools. Each group had ensembles for choral singers and orchestra musicians.

Serving as conductors for each ensemble were district music instructors and outside directors Ami Garvin from the Walnut Unified School District, Angel M. Vazquez-Ramos from Chapman University and Stephen Tucker from UC Irvine.

—Alex Chan