By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California
La Mesa Arts Academy held its final Instrumental Concert of the school year, featuring many of the school’s musical elective classes.
The concert kicked off in the amphitheater with performances by the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Band under the direction of Mario Jativa. The ensembles performed a variety of modern and classic selections, many of which had audience members singing along and moving to the music.
The Symphonic Orchestra performed several pieces, including a medley of melodies from the 2016 musical film La La Land.
Composer and songwriter Justin Hurwitz, who wrote the music for La La Land, is Jewish and of Russian, Polish, Syrian, and Lebanese descent. Hurwitz attended Harvard University, where he was roommates with director Damien Chazelle. The two later collaborated on La La Land and several other films. Although Chazelle is not Jewish, he attended Hebrew school after his parents became dissatisfied with the religious education he received at a church Sunday school.
The evening concluded with the newly formed Steel Drum Band, which performed several familiar island-inspired melodies.
As the concert came to a close, Jativa thanked the students for their hard work throughout the year and recognized the outgoing eighth-graders. He encouraged them to continue their musical studies and thanked the parents for giving him the opportunity to teach such talented students. He also wished everyone a well-deserved summer break.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.