New location, new vibe, same quality experience—it’s like hitting the “refresh” button for Pacific Symphony’s popular summer program, arts-X-press, as it settles into its beautiful new home at Concordia University Irvine (CUI). For the 17th year in a row, arts-X-press will be providing 150 middle-school students with a safe and encouraging environment for exploring their love of the arts. And thanks to a new partnership between the Symphony and CUI, campers will for the first time be staying on the university’s private campus, located in the heart of Irvine. Filled with workshops led by arts educators who foster artistic discovery and creative expression, arts-x-press will be treating students to experiences most have never had before.
“We are thrilled to have this incredible opportunity to bring arts-x-press to its new home,” says Symphony Vice President of Education and Community Engagement Susan Kotses. “We have been particularly impressed by the warmth and helpfulness of the Concordia team, as well as the lovely campus and wonderful arts spaces. We look forward to future opportunities to partner with Concordia and to the enhanced experience our new arts-x-press home will offer our students and staff.”
The magic begins each year when Orange County students entering 7th and 8th grade are nominated by their teachers and apply for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This summer, starting July 8-12 (session one), and continuing July 15-19 (session two) and July 22-26 (session three), 50 students will participate in each session by diving into the arts and exploring dance, theater, visual art, vocal and instrumental music during a five-day stay in the dorms at CUI. To learn more about the program, visit www.PacificSymphony.org/arts-X-press. For more about CUI, visit www.cui.edu.
The Symphony’s Community Arts Participation Director Alison Levinson, comments: “Concordia’s serene and secure campus and their beautiful arts spaces will surely enhance the program and will greatly contribute to the safe and creative environment that arts-x-press creates for our students.”
Concordia University’s arts spaces include the 500-seat CU Center with spacious acoustics, which is home to the 3,920-pipe Casavant organ and a Steinway grand piano. The Good Shepherd Chapel is an intimate hilltop venue with seating for 100, used regularly for solo recitals and chamber music. The rear wing of the CU Center is outfitted with practice rooms, classrooms, studio teaching room, a keyboard lab and a tiered acoustically-engineered choir rehearsal room. The Performing Arts Annex is the rehearsal home of the Concordia Wind Orchestra, Chapel Choir, worship bands and chamber ensembles.
“We’re looking forward to being the new home for arts-x-press,” says CUI Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Jeff Held. “The rich heritage of Concordia Irvine’s fine arts program makes it a perfect fit. Our liberal arts university and Pacific Symphony share some donors and board members, making the partnership ideal.”
Founded by Music Director Carl St.Clair in remembrance of his and wife Susan’s son, Cole Carsan St.Clair, the innovative and multidisciplinary arts-x-press program allows students to test the boundaries of their creativity in an overnight summer camp, where no artistic risk is too intimidating. Reflective of how many artistic disciplines influenced his own creative development, Maestro St.Clair’s philosophy is the driving force behind the program. Aligned with his vision for encouraging love of the arts, arts-x-press is designed for students to gain a lifelong connection to the arts and to foster respect for each student’s individuality, interests and diverse backgrounds.
Arts-x-press students, ages of 12-14, are at a critical point in life where they are figuring out who they are and what they’re about. They are encouraged to leave their comfort zones as they explore new ways of expressing themselves and learn about one another. During their arts-x-press week, they actively engage in the arts through dance, drawing, singing, acting and playing music in workshops led by experienced faculty who teach at schools and arts programs across Southern California. Providing a nurturing and encouraging environment for taking artistic risks and embracing those different than themselves helps the students embrace who they are as unique and important individuals in society.
“Arts-x-press is a refuge where 50 students from all kinds of backgrounds, communities, artistic disciplines and skill levels can come together to safely explore the arts, try new things, and find their own unique voice,” says Levinson. “At arts-x-press, the focus is on the creative process rather than artistic output, which allows our students the space to learn about themselves, about each other, and about the world around them. Middle school is such a critical time when young people are figuring out themselves and their place in society.”
Students are asked to disconnect from phones and social media and fully immerse themselves in their experiences. For many, it will be the first time they will be away from home. As a result, students tend to develop close bonds with one another and camp personnel and make personal discoveries. For many, it’s a transformative experience.
“Many of our alumni describe arts-x-press as a pivotal moment in their lives when they came out of their shell, became more confident, or discovered something new about themselves, which helped shape their identity as they blossom into young adults,” says Levinson.
During each session, students will venture off campus to participate in three excursions that may include attendance at: Symphony in the Cities in Newport Beach or Irvine; “The Tempest” at Shakespeare Orange County; “Mary Poppins” at Musical Theater West; Pageant of the Masters; and “Parade” at the Chance Theater. These field trips allow students to meet the artists behind the productions and hear from the professionals who many consider to be role models, including Maestro St.Clair. On the last night, students put together a presentation for parents and show off all they have created over the last five days.
“For me, arts-x-press is about opening up new avenues of communication,” says Amrit Rau, a former camper who is now a camp counselor. “It’s about learning about each other and experiencing the personal interaction that allows us to work together to grow.”
Janelle Kruly
Public Relations and Social Media Manager