Singing a Greek Chorus to Preserve the Arts

Feet tap and heads bob as the Mira Costa High School Vocal Ensemble sings a score from the French opera Carmen in the school's music center. Excitement permeates the air. This rehearsal, and many more to come, is in preparation for the group's July performance on the Greek Island of Syros. Many of the students have never traveled outside of the U.S.

In January, an invitation was extended to choir director Michael Hayden and the ensemble to perform at the International Festival of the Aegean. The group will be the first high school choir to perform at this celebrated event. Along with the University of Corfu's choir and feature soloists, the students will perform Carmen, which Hayden says they learned in a mere 10 weeks.

The ensemble gave a preview of its talents at a recent City Council meeting.

Even though students are delighted to perform overseas, they admit that the cost to travel (about $41,000) looms as a worry. California's public education system has been experiencing steep budget cuts because of the state's roughly $20 billion deficit. When schools are ordered to cut back on spending, the first departments to suffer are often the arts.

Since January, however, the Vocal Ensemble has been able to raise more than half of the money needed to perform in Greece through a fundraising drive. Many local vendors and restaurants, including Petros, have contributed.

Hayden says it's refreshing to see the community of Manhattan Beach support not only its students, but also the arts.