MBUSD held its first All District Strings/Orchestra Festival on Wednesday, February 23, 2004 in the MBMS Gymnasium. 

This performance under the direction of Francis Orvis, Elementary Strings; Dawn Farmer, MBUSD Honor Strings; Denise Haslop, MBMS Beginning Strings and Chamber Orchestra; Mark Haslop, MBMS String Orchestra; and Christopher Schwabe, MCHS String Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra Strings and Symphony Orchestra showcased the district's string programs.

The evening began with the Star Spangled Banner performed by all 350 musicians.

All levels of string players representing every school in the district showed how hard work and hours of practice combine to create beautiful music.

 The only string players not present were the 3rd grade beginning string students who will perform at their school concerts later this year.

The selections ranged from Mozart to Rimsky-Korsakoff, Pachelbel, Hofeldt, Mouret and Beethoven.  Our young musicians truly did the district proud.   

The stirring Finale from Symphony Number 5 by Beethoven was performed by every musician to a standing ovation.  Congratulations to our young artists for a job well done!

A huge thank you to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for funding the elementary strings program.