The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra is inviting young musicians to attend their next “Visiting Artists Program” at College of the Canyons, sharing experience and opportunities for aspiring musicians to improve their skills, officials said Thursday.

Bridge to Everywhere, a world-class professional ensemble, is providing the opportunity for students to strengthen their skills of improvisation and learn what it really takes to be a professional musician, according to the organization.

SCVYO Artistic Director Derrick Spiva Jr.

Led by Artistic Director Derrick Spiva Jr., the program is set to consist of a rehearsal and learning segment, followed by an open panel discussion and performance.

Parents and the public can return at 11:30 a.m. to join in the discussion and watch Bridge to Everywhere perform several pieces, along with a combined song with student participants.

Everyone is welcome to this “Visiting Artists Program” workshop, though organizers ask that students wishing to participate have a minimum of two to three years of experience with their instrument.

The concert is set to feature a panel discussion on the importance of using music to celebrate cultural diversity, and the ways that this can encourage others to adopt this new welcoming mindset. Bridge to Everywhere’s mission is to celebrate cultural diversity by bringing people together to experience interwoven musical traditions so as to foster a more inclusive society.

The open panel discussion scheduled for 11:30 a.m. is set to answer questions such as, “What does it mean to be a musician in 2020?”, and, “How can your music make change in your community?”, among many more. Guests are encouraged to bring up any questions that might interest them, according to event organizers.

Once the discussion and performance comes to a close, students are expected to be provided with a pizza luncheon to celebrate their accomplishments, officials said.

The Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra is a nonprofit organization that has served the Santa Clarita Valley community and surrounding areas for over 50 years, providing a variety of instrumental education programs for students 8 years and older.

The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Pico Canyon Hall at College of the Canyons.

To participate, musicians not from the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra are asked to pay $20 ($10 for students with ID) in cash, credit card or check on the day of the event.

The general public is also invited to watch with $10 admission. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP to info@scvyo.org by Thursday, Dec 5.

To learn more about Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra programs or to donate, visit the website here. For more information, contact the executive director at info@scvyo.org.

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