Beethoven will be in La Crescenta Feb. 24!

The Crescenta Valley Arts Council is paying homage to the master Ludwig van Beethoven and his extraordinary compositions with Beethoven Bash 2012. In our fifth annual music Bash, professional musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Opera orchestra will perform with outstanding student musicians from Crescenta Valley High School and Rosemont Middle School, led by Mathew Schick and Rod Yonkers.

Leticia Oaks Strong, viola player for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has spent many months coordinating the professional musicians, local students and the music to create an inspired program that is comprised of works by one of the giants of classical music. Selections include the first movement of “Symphony #5, Sonate Pathetique, Adagio” cantabile arranged by David Garrett for cello quartet and the “Fidelio Overture.”

The motivation for the first Bash was to sponsor an outstanding concert experience while providing student musicians the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals. Like Beethoven, who as a young man studied with the master Joseph Haydn, it has become a chance of a lifetime for many of these students to be coached by and perform masterworks with the likes of L.A. Phil players. Beethoven Bash is a rare combination of top-notch concertizing for the community and a phenomenal educational experience for student musicians. Be sure not to miss a very special evening of music.

The Beethoven Bash is sponsored by the Crescenta Valley Arts Council and takes place on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Ave. in La Crescenta. A $7 donation at the door is gratefully appreciated.     Visit CrescentaValleyArtsCouncil.org to see a photo gallery of previous years’ Bashes and other events presented by the Arts Council.