Center Helps Make Beautiful Music at Fairview Park

Ellen Schulze teaches a young musician the fun of harmonica improvisation.

Segerstrom Center staff members were out in force in Fairview Park to help make Costa Mesa’s final Concert in the Park for 2013 a special celebration in honor of the city's 60th anniversary. Center teaching artist Ellen Schulze, known as “the Puppet Lady,” was there to welcome youngsters and help them make their own harmonicas out of items easily found around the house. Schulze is most often seen at local schools and community events showing children how to explore the world and history through the magic of puppet crafts. 

For more information about the Center’s education programs and teaching artists, visit www.scfta.org/artsteach.

This Friday on the Arts Plaza: Pacific Symphony’s “Target Symphony in the Cities”

Music Director Carl St.Clair conducting.

Pacific Symphony’s annual free summer evenings of outdoor music and entertainment come to Segerstrom Center’s Arts Plaza for the first time this Friday, July 26 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The 2013 Target Symphony in the Cities concert series on the Center’s Arts Plaza will also help to celebrate Costa Mesa’s 60th Anniversary. PSO Music Director Carl St.Clair will conduct well-loved tunes by Shostakovich, Massenet, Strauss (Jr. and Sr.!) and American legends John Williams, Leonard Bernstein and John Philip Sousa. Special guest performers are the doo-wop group The Alley Cats and violinist Kotaro Tsutsumi. 

Don’t miss the pre-concert events at the Symphony’s Musical Playground and lots of interactive and hands-on activities for kids and families: make an instrument, play in a drum circle, visit the instrument petting zoo and meet real live Symphony musicians. Maestro St.Clair will offer his conducting workshop, starting at 6:45 p.m. in preparation to assist him in leading Sousa’s “Hands Across the Sea” during the concert. 

Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs or other easily portable seating items, as well as snacks and picnic suppers. Barbecues and similar food preparation are not permitted.  

Center Campus. Photo by Chris Costea