The Culver City Symphony is marking its 60th year with a nod to Hispanic culture and a classic twist as part of the Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series at Burton Chace Park.
The first show, on Saturday, July 12, features the orchestra playing songs from the animated film “Coco” as it screens at Burton Chace Park.
The second concert, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9, will feature a performance of “Calling All Dawns” by the Angel City Chorale.
Both concerts are free to the public and family-friendly.
The Culver City Symphony Orchestra has a rich history as a community-based organization. Cliff Beach, head of digital marketing for the Culver City Symphony Orchestra, said that the orchestra was founded by George Berres, who formed a lasting friendship with William Grant Still, a “prolific African American composer and longtime friend of the orchestra.”
“They were really working together to build something for the community,” Beach said. “It was not something that happened every day,” Beach said.
Beach added that the orchestra is the only true community music project in the summer concert series, which features other acts mostly from outside Los Angeles. “This is free, and it’s part of your community. It’s your symphony, essentially,” Beach said.
The “Coco” concert will feature the full movie with live music, similar to the Los Angeles film concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Beach said the movie was chosen because of its commercial appeal and cultural diversity.
“It’s a totally immersive experience,” Beach said. “And if you’ve never seen a live orchestra with a film, it’s an enhanced experience.”
The second concert on Aug. 9 will feature a song cycle by Christopher Tin, a LA-based composer and Grammy Award winner who is a friend of the orchestra. Beach described the concerts as “a little more eclectic, really focusing on moving through different languages.”
The symphony also supports the Young Artist Competition, which gives aspiring soloists ages 12 to 21 a chance to perform with the orchestra.
“We really want to focus on youth coming to see the concert with their family, but also inspiring them to want to play,” he said. “If you want the longevity, not only of the orchestra, but of that music, to live on, you have to galvanize youth.”
Beach said the competition has a long history on its own, celebrating 50 years this year.
“If you think of things like the Mozart effect, how it opens their brain, and how you can map and see their brain when they’re learning … you capture youth to be excited about classical music, orchestra, symphony … it does create neural pathways in the brain that allow them to be more creative thinkers and problem solvers.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, picnics, food and drinks, but vendors will be present.
“It’s really open-ended, open air in the park and very accessible … it’s a great thing for people to do in the summertime,” Beach said. “It really is built around that experience … you get kind of that golden hour sunset.”
