Bravos to all the SMMUSD student musicians and their instructors for two magical evenings of instrumental and vocal performances at “Stairway of the Stars” last week. Three highlights of the evening, performed by middle and high school students, were “Melodia en La Menor” conducted by Jason Aiello, Danse Bacchanale from “Samson and Delilah” conducted by John Kibler, and “Cruisin’ for a Bluesin'” energetically led by Bill Bixler. These pieces took the audience on some unique and inspiring musical journeys that only a special performance is capable of doing, as was noticed by the roar of applause and appreciation from each person lucky enough to experience it. Music, a common language that bonds us all, is a beautiful thing.
Then the stars dimmed. Linda Gross, executive director, and Jody Brooks, president of For the Arts, a Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation program, offered heartfelt speeches and showed a video about how For the Arts has inspired and motivated the students of our school district.
However, there was not one mention, not one second of footage, not one still photograph of a Malibu student included in this video. This is another example of how the students, teachers, parents, administrators, staff, and measure-passing residents of Malibu continue to be excluded and ignored by SMMUSD. The message, however, delivered to the people of our community, is that it continues to be the SANTA MONICA – Malibu school district. I omit unified because the intention clearly is not one of unity. It’s really too bad.
Donna Sorce
Third Co-Vice President
Malibu High School PTSA