Southern California Arts High School Introduces Guitar Program

Press release
Source: Orange County High School of the Arts

The Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), a nationally recognized arts school that provides talented students with a creative and challenging educational environment, is proud to introduce a new Guitar Program for seventh through twelfth grade students available in the 2006-2007 school year.

The program will feature curriculum designed specifically for classical and acoustic guitarists and include courses such as guitar theory and history, guitar ensemble, and a guitar master class. Students accepted into the Guitar Program will also have the opportunity to participate in additional music courses with students enrolled in the school's other Instrumental Music Conservatory programs. These courses include Music Appreciation and Topics in Music, which covers items of educational interest such as jazz history and film music.

OCHSA's Instrumental Music Conservatory provides gifted young musicians with the opportunity to receive extensive education in a wide range of musical areas. Each student in the program receives daily instruction in various musical realms in addition to training on his or her primary musical instrument.

The conservatory emphasizes a collaborative atmosphere that actively engages young musicians in fundamental learning, technique development and performance opportunities.

Students in the school's nationally-recognized Instrumental Music Conservatory have had the opportunity to work with an inspiring caliber of guest artists, including Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), cellist Yo-Yo Ma, jazz musician Bobby Rodriguez, and more. The school's Symphony Orchestra is the 1999-2004 recipient of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Award for Adventurous Programming in Contemporary Music.

Applications for the Guitar Program can be downloaded from the school's website at www.ocsarts.net. For additional information, please call the OCHSA Administrative Offices at (714) 560-0900 ext. 5510.

About Orange County High School of the Arts:

The nationally recognized Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA) provides a creative, challenging and nurturing environment that offers bright and talented students unparalleled preparation for higher education and a profession in the arts. Now in its 19th year, the school has an enrollment of more than 1,250 students, grades 7-12, and offers students the opportunity to focus on one of 11 arts conservatories offered, including ballet folklorico, classical/contemporary dance, commercial dance, creative writing, film and television, instrumental music, integrated arts, music and theatre, opera, production and design and visual arts.

OCHSA is one of the top scoring academic schools in the state of California. The school's recent API score exceeded the Governor's target goal for all schools in California, and the school ranks in the 90th percentile compared to all other schools in California and is the 5th highest-ranking high school in Orange County.

It is the only specialized arts program of its kind in the region to offer tuition-free academic and arts instruction to students from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The non-profit school relies solely on private and corporate donations, totaling $3 million annually, to fund the 11 arts conservatories offered. For additional information, visit www.ocsarts.net.