Hundreds of IUSD Students to Participate in Bren Honors Concert

Hundreds of Irvine’s outstanding musicians will take center stage tonight for the 34^th annual Donald Bren Honors Concert at 6:30 p.m. at the Segerstrom Concert Hall, located at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.  There are a handful of tickets still available. For more information, visit ipsf.net.  The Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) will also have DVDs of the performance for purchase and the Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) will broadcast the concert, in its entirety, on Cox Channel 39 in early May. This annual event is presented by IPSF, in partnership with IUSD.  In all, approximately 600 top vocalists and instrumentalists in grades five through 12 will participate in the musical showcase. “Our students’ exceptional talent will be showcased in this world-class venue, including a special pre-concert at 6:15 p.m. that will feature the Northwood High School Jazz Ensemble I,” said Brad Van Patten, IUSD’s coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts. “In addition, our high school students will be under the direction of Jonathan Talberg, the choral director of the Bob Cole Conservatory at CSU Long Beach, and Iman Khosrowpour, a IUSD alum and director of orchestras at Irvine Valley College.” The concert is named in recognition of the generosity of philanthropist Donald Bren. Under his leadership, the Donald Bren Foundation and the Irvine Company have provided more than $200 million to support education, including a $20 million gift to preserve art, music and science programs in IUSD. In addition to serving as an incredible performance opportunity for students, the Donald Bren Honors Concert also generates funds to support music education.  “The Donald Bren Honors Concert represents an outstanding effort by donors, parents, music instructors, students and members of the community to provide, preserve and expand outstanding music programs for kids in our schools,” said IPSF Chief Executive Officer Neda Eaton .