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Students Earn Spots in LA Philharmonic Composer Programs
Focus on Social Justice Last spring, the Upper School devoted two days to exploring issues related to equity and community engagement. These events expanded upon the work that students regularly take part in through their classes, student-run clubs, special projects and required service hours. On Feb. 27, 2015, students examined hunger in America, AIDS, bullying, animal rights and more than 20 other topics spotlighted at the first Upper School Day of Service, organized by Upper School Community Service Director Hali Morell. Robert Kennedy Jr. delivered opening remarks about the importance of protecting America’s waterways from pollution. From there, students joined peer-led workshops to consider a variety of equity and justice issues in depth.
From left: Isaac Pross, Luca Mendoza and Ethan Treiman.
Eleventh-graders Luca Mendoza and Ethan Treiman earned two of the four spots in the prestigious LA Philharmonic Composer Fellowship Program, which provides composition training through regular master classes and the chance to compose two pieces for the LA Philharmonic to perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Tenth-grader Isaac Pross was accepted into the one-year Associate Composer Program, which includes eight master classes and the opportunity to have his chamber music compositions recorded and performed live by professional musicians. “Since the start of the program, we have written a woodwind trio and heard it performed, and also met several LA Philharmonic instrumentalists,” reports Ethan. “I still have so much to learn and am excited for the rest of the two-year program.” Adds Luca, “We have weekly seminars with world-class composers and players, and—my favorite part—frequently get to go to amazing concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall.” Ethan has taken music theory courses with Mary Ann Cummins and Richard Grayson and is a Drama Conservatory major who’s performed in Crossroads productions including “The Laramie Project” and “Once on This Island.” Luca plays piano in the Jazz “A” Band; recent musical honors include the Outstanding Solo Award at the 2015 Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival. Isaac is a member of the Elizabeth Mandell Music Institute (EMMI), takes music theory with Mary Ann and plays violin in the EMMI Chamber Orchestra. A longtime Crossroads music instructor and former EMMI director, Mary Ann believes that the musical training the students received at Crossroads has prepared them well for the rigors of the LA Philharmonic programs. “To be a composer, you have to own the knowledge of the language of music,” she says. “And that’s what we teach here.”
Students also had the opportunity to go on field trips for activities as varied as cleaning the beach, performing at the Ocean Park Community Center homeless shelter and gardening at Palms Elementary School. The day wrapped up with a panel of parents speaking about their own service experiences. On April 8, students explored issues surrounding youth incarceration during Juvenile Justice Forum Day, organized by English teacher Nika Cavat. The day featured 44 presenters and 26 workshops on topics including drug and alcohol rehabilitation, women and domestic violence, teens and cops, and street poetry. Richard Ross’ art exhibit “Juvenile in Justice”—curated by Jack Kennerly, now a senior—was displayed in the Sam Francis Gallery from April 6 to 10, and depicted the harsh conditions faced by minors in prison. “Curating the photo exhibit and interacting with Richard Ross’ work was a very profound experience for me,” Jack says. “Because the inmates and I are the same age, I was able to empathize with them in a unique way. I know many other Crossroads students had a similar experience when seeing the show.” Junior Grace Attanasio at a Day of Service workshop hosted by the Animal Rights Club.