July 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica High School Wind Ensemble Receives Grant For Chicago Music Festival:

The Samohi Wind Ensemble will receive $8,000 from the Santa Monica City Council’s contingency fund to participate in the 2013 Chicago International Music Festival. A matching grant to the Santa Monica Arts Parents Association, the funding is expected to give the independent nonprofit organization a boost in fundraising in order to cover expenses for students of low-income families to attend the festival and perform at the Chicago Symphony Hall in March.

Council member Kevin McKeown made the request to allocate the $8,000 grant from the Council’s contingency fund. The $8,000 grant was unanimously approved Tuesday.

Robb Brown, fundraising chair of the Santa Monica Arts Parents Association, stated in a letter to council members the Wind Ensemble needs to raise about $16,000.

“To help defray these travel expenses, the Band Parents Association is vigorously fundraising in hopes of closing the gap,” Brown wrote. “The price tag for our scholarship students and the cost of sending the required administrators, chaperones and instruments, is still … high and we anticipate a need of $16,000 to meet our goal.”

He added that the funding would allow Samohi students to engage in a unique experience while also representing the City in the Midwest.

“This tour will be a rich educational experience and will show case the outstanding music program in the Santa Monica-Malibu Public Schools. Our outstanding students will indeed be ambassadors for the City of Santa Monica,” Brown stated.

He added the opportunity to perform in a world-renowned venue in a major metropolitan city provides a new stage for Samohi students to perform, which, as a high school band, “are generally relegated to daytime performances.”

Samohi’s Wind Ensemble has 58 members. Brown added most have members have “put enough money aside to pay for this trip” but there are a few “talented and deserving students” that need assistance.

A fundraising gala is scheduled for Feb. 27 at the Broad Stage. Students are also taking part in a personal letter writing campaign “to offset their trip costs,” Brown added.

Another fundraiser, the “Practice-A-Thon,” was just completed.

“The benefits of this trip to the larger community are many,” Brown stated. “In addition to making beautiful music, the students tour experiences go viral, inspiring others to reach for the top.”

McKeown said the City Council has a “happy history” of servicing those in need and deserving of community support.

“We have a happy history of … helping students from lower income families participate in experiences like this that they may otherwise not get to do,” McKeown said.

As part of the trip, not only will students have a chance to perform at the Chicago Symphony Hall, but they will also visit Northwestern University to take in a Master’s class with “world-renowned” teacher and band director Mallory Thompson.

“This truly is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Brown stated.

Mayor Pro Tem Terry O’Day and Council member Bob Holbrook were both absent for the vote, which was the final action item on the council’s Jan. 22 agenda.

in News
<>Related Posts

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...