Palisades High School band will play at the Hollywood Bowl.
By CHAZ PLAGER
After a life-changing disaster, you tend to focus on the big stuff first. Where am I going to go to school? What about my house? What about my friend’s house? Only after all of those worries have been resolved can you start to focus on the smaller things, such as “Where is our band going to perform?”
With the loss of the Palisades Charter High football field, both a longtime practice and performance venue for the PaliHi Band, it was unclear if the band would get a chance to practice or perform again for the remainder of the year. For many seniors, the loss of a final performance to mark the end of their years with the program must have been heartbreaking.
That is, until LA Philharmonic Chief Programming Officer, Meghan Umber, reached out to the Pali Band director, Peter Ye, asking them how the students would feel about performing the National Anthem alongside the LA Philharmonic Orchestra at the April 1 Hollywood Bowl. They said “Yes.”
Preparing for this event has, obviously, not come without difficulty. “The band equipment seems like it was somewhat spared from the fire, but no one has been allowed on campus to confirm,” Ye said. “Even though our buildings were not destroyed, there is high potential for smoke damage and toxins. Everything that survived will need to be evaluated and decontaminated.”
The Pali Band is no stranger to playing The Star-Spangled Banner, so thankfully, less practice is necessary than usual for this performance, but there are still plans to rent out an area and practice the day before.
“I am super excited to be performing at the Hollywood Bowl,” said drum major (conductor of the band) and Pali senior Zach Shapiro. “While it is a bit daunting to perform at such a large venue, it shouldn’t be too difficult as the band performed at Sofi Stadium last semester. I’m looking forward to conducting alongside world renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel.”
Unfortunately, tickets for the performance are sold out; however, just for Palisadian residents, here’s a secret tip from the Palisades Historical Society:
“When you click on this link, hollywoodbowl.com/weheartla , you will be asked if you have a promo code to enter. Here it is: ARTSHEART. On your application, you may request four tickets. Good luck!”
This offer lasts while supplies (seats) last. If you’re not lucky enough to get tickets, details about the “We Love L.A.” concert at the Hollywood Bowl and how to watch or listen remotely are at this link: click here.
Though it might not provide a replacement for the remaining performances they had planned for the rest of the year, I, alongside many others, are eagerly awaiting to see my alma mater perform at the highest level. Knock ‘em dead, Dolphins!
The PaliHi Marching Band’s season has been cut short, with no place to practice after the fire.