“I’m going to Disneyland!” These timeless words uttered moments after the Super Bowl victory is a hallmark in American culture. However, many of my students can only dream of uttering these words. These students come from hi-risk neighborhoods, and their families have extremely limited means. Because of this, they have an equally limited cultural scope beyond the confines of South Los Angeles. Many of them have never even seen a live performance!

 USC Hybrid High began a choir class in 2013 after many students expressed interest in singing. Since then, we have transformed into a choral music program of which to be proud. Students are singing challenging musical literature, reading music, and the program has inspired many students to pursue musical careers beyond high school. The music program has indeed built their confidence, but it is my dream to open my students’ eyes to the magic of live music.

The Disney Choral Music Festival would afford my students this very opportunity. Not only will they compete for a nationally acclaimed trophy, they will also be adjudicated and coached by music professionals. Most importantly they will be exposed to a day filled with choral music from high schools all across the nation. The day would culminate with an award ceremony during the spectacular Disney firework display. This would indeed be a memory each of my students would never forget. With your help, you can truly make this dream come true!