NEW RIO MUSIC PROGRAM STRIKES A CHORD WITH STUDENTS

Choir and orchestra continue to grow under Maestro's leadership

OXNARD, Calif.-The new Rio School District Unity Through Arts program continues to gain ground as 216 students from all eight Rio schools have joined the new student orchestra and choir. World-renowned Maestro Edin Dino Zonic and his colleague, choir performer/director Julia Zonic, formed the groups in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme and the Rio School District.

"We must invest in our youth," Maestro Zonic said. "We must give them a place to go with music in the afternoons, not gangs to join. This will give them hope that life will get better."

This past summer, the Rio School District invited students to audition for a new student orchestra and choir. By the time the first district-wide rehearsal was held Oct. 26 at Rio Vista Middle School, 420 students from six Rio schools had united to form the Children's Philharmonic Orchestra and the Voices of Hope Children's Choir. The choir held its first performance Nov. 17 at the Boys & Girls Clubs' 18 th Annual Donald K. Facciano Auction & Gala at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Oxnard.

Maestro Zonic, founder of the nonprofit Unity through Music program, moved to the U.S. from war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina in fall 2006. As the district's new musical director, Zonic had a vision of how his program could transform the lives of the area's young students.

"Our mission is to create unity on Earth by awakening the spirit of humanity through the universal language of music," he said. "When we invest in our youth and give them a positive way to spend their afternoon time, we give them a brighter future."

The director and his assistants from the Boys & Girls Clubs visit each of the six elementary schools weekly, offering guidance and musical instruction. Student musicians and singers of every skill level rehearse together at Rio Vista Middle School every other Friday throughout the school year.

As the choir and orchestra continue to grow, the program is in need of musical instruments for the performers. To donate, call (805) 815-4959, ext. 204. In addition to instruments, the group is also looking for volunteers that would like to work with Maestro Dino Zonic and Julia Zonic, assisting with either the choir or orchestra, depending on interest.

The Rio School District encompasses six elementary and two middle schools. There are close to 4,200 students in the district, which serves the unincorporated community of El Rio, the RiverPark development and portions of the city of Oxnard.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 29, 2007

CONTACT: Sarene Wallace, (805) 373-1100, sarene@mayersonmarketing.com