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LOS ANGELES CHILDREN’S CHORUS SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2009, 6:30 P.M., AT EL MOLINO VIEJO IN SAN MARINO
(PASADENA, CA) May 13, 2009 – The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus (LACC) turns the spotlight on three of its most dedicated volunteers when it unveils its inaugural “Distinguished Volunteer Awards” at the choir’s annual benefit, “Serenade,” on Saturday, June 6, 2009, 6:30 pm, at the historic El Molino Viejo in San Marino. Receiving the inaugural awards are ace volunteers Jean Barr, Melinda Laun Flores and Rey Llamas, who have contributed endless hours of volunteer time, skill and dedication for the betterment of Los Angeles Children’s Chorus. In addition to the volunteer awards presentation, the evening’s highlights include a live auction, as well as performances by the renowned choir, conducted by Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, as well as talented LACC alumni Alana Mailes, a freshman at UC Berkeley, and Daniel Reardon, who will attend Yale University in the fall. Proceeds benefit LACC’s artistic and educational programs. “Volunteers have been pivotal to LACC’s success since its inception,” said Rachel Fine, LACC Executive Director. “We established this award to demonstrate our deep gratitude for their innumerable contributions. Jean, Melinda and Rey are true standouts who have fortified our mission and organization through their selfless dedication.” Serenade co-chairs are Alma Aroustamian, Annie Yeager Higgins, Katherine Kavich, Jennifer Harris Sliskovich, and Andrea Greene Willard. Live auction bidding promises to be heated for such one-of-a kind “experience” packages as a studio-quality professionally engineered, videotaped demonstration DVD for a solo musician (perfect for the college bound music major!); a surfing adventure led by former pro-server/LACC Board Chair Patti Paniccia; a Miley Cyrus-autographed guitar; and a architectural tour of LA guided by Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne. The benefit’s decidedly south-of-the-border menu by Pasadena’s THE SPOT complements the spectacular location. The adobe El Molino Viejo, built in 1816 as a gristmill for Mission San Gabriel, is the oldest commercial building in Southern California. Nestled in the heart of San Marino, today it is filled with antique paintings and furnishings, and the mill’s tranquil garden features native California trees and plants. Setting the mood from a culinary standpoint are appetizers of miniature chile rellanos served with a chipotle aioli, sautéed shrimp served with a green onion cilantro sauce, and chipotle chicken salad on a plantain chip topped with mango salsa, The buffet dinner features hydroponic watercress and baby arugula salad tossed with marcona almonds, dried cranberries, manchego cheese, and a Champagne quince vinaigrette; chile rubbed slow roasted tri-tip served with a bourbon ancho sauce accented with a drizzle of smoked red pepper sauce and cilantro oil served with a horseradish Sauce; spinach and goat cheese enchiladas served with almond mole sauce, guacamole, salsa, and sour cream; Spanish red rice and cilantro green rice garnished with scallions and tomatoes; fresh black bean and corn salad; sauté of baby green and yellow squash; and blue corn cheddar muffins. The dessert buffet includes guava cheesecake bites, mini dulce de leche crème brulees; and mini key lime tartlets. # # # Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, founded in 1986 and currently concluding its 23rd season, is noted throughout the country for its exceptional artistic quality and technical ability. It frequently performs with such leading musical ensembles as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Under the direction of Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, LACC also assists Los Angeles Opera by providing and training children for opera productions that require children’s chorus or soloists. LACC currently serves more than 290 choristers from 60 communities across Los Angeles in five choirs (Concert, Chamber Singers, Intermediate, Apprentice and Preparatory) and one new class for young singers, First Experiences in Singing. The intensive training program includes weekly or twice weekly rehearsals. All children receive individual voice coaching and take comprehensive musicianship classes. LACC has toured Brazil, China, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland as well as many parts of the United States and Canada. It is featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary film, “SING!,” which chronicles a year in the life of the choir and is shown periodically on PBS stations nationwide, and the recently-released documentary “SING OPERA!.” LACC is also featured on "Amore Infinito" ("Infinite Love"), a Deutsche Grammophon CD of songs based on poems by the late Pope John Paul II and performed by Plácido Domingo, which was released worldwide in March 2009. LACC performs on one of 12 tracks that also include Domingo in duet with Andrea Bocelli, Vanessa Williams and Katherine Jenkins. Open auditions for LACC take place each May.
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