Youth Orchestra Los Angeles at Heart of Los Angeles (YOLA at HOLA) "Moving Up" Ceremony to Take Place on November 5th at LaFayette Park Event Is Culmination of Six-Week Ensemble Program; Students to Trade in Paper Violins for

Real ViolinsLOS ANGELES (October 31, 2011) – On Saturday, November 5th, the second annual Paper Orchestra concert will take place at 11 am in HOLA’s neighborhood LaFayette Park. The Paper Orchestra is the first step incoming first grade students take when they join the Youth Orchestra LA at Heart of Los Angeles - or "YOLA at HOLA". The Paper Orchestra is a tool to engage the entire community from the very beginning. Families collectively build paper instruments and the students then spend the next six weeks learning how to respect and care for their instruments. Students learn that the instrument is a part of them and the program reinforces the understanding that they are part of something larger. At the moving up ceremony, the students will perform six short songs and receive their real violins from their mentors, the seven year old second year string students. The concert will feature all of YOLA at HOLA’s performing ensembles, including the top wind ensemble, beginning wind ensemble, the full orchestra and the Paper Orchestra. Councilmember Ed Reyes will be in attendance.

YOLA at HOLA is a free music education program made possible through a partnership between HOLA and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. YOLA at HOLA is the second site of Gustavo Dudamel’s signature program, providing participating students with intensive after-school orchestral instruction and academic tutoring. Over the last twenty years, HOLA has developed an effective model for community based education. With YOLA, HOLA has become a center for joyful music-making and a vehicle for creating social change. In just it’s second year, YOLA at HOLA no provides music education and academic support services for 180 students in the Rampart District, ages 6-11.

YOLA is the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s initiative to provide access to free, high quality instrumental and orchestral education in or to promote youth development. Central to YOLA is the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s plan to build, with community partners, youth orchestras in underserved communities throughout Los Angeles. YOLA is inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan music education system that nurtured Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. Each year, El Sistema provides a quarter million children with free musical instruments and music instruction so that they may play in youth orchestras throughout their countries.

HOLA’s after-school programs have made a vital difference to students 6-19 years old, attending overburdened schools in the Rampart District and surrounding neighborhoods who lack access to quality enrichment programming and academic assistance. HOLA’s youth development programming is designed to inspire students and reignite their interest in learning, and is unique in the quality of instruction and individual attention provided for each student. HOLA provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities. For over 20 years, HOLA has helped young people reach their potential, rather than succumb to the lures of gang life, drugs and juvenile delinquency.

Reporters interested in covering the event should contact HOLA’s Communications Director, Lee Schube, at (213) 389-1148, ext. 232 or lschube@heartofla.org, or the LA Phil’s Senior Publicist, Lisa Bellamore at (213) 972-3689 or lbellamore@laphil.org.

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For Immediate Release