April 8, 2002
INFORMATION: Sue Bozman or John McElwain, (661) 362-3415 or 3494

Dozens of Wineries, Restaurants to Participate in SCV Wine Classic on June 1

SANTA CLARITA ­ Wine connoisseurs and those who just enjoy great wine, gourmet food and fine orchestral arrangements should consider attending the Santa Clarita Valley Wine Classic, which this year will feature as many as 50 wineries offering their latest releases and a host of local restaurants providing culinary delights.

The popular event ­ a fundraiser for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra and the Santa Clarita Symphony ­ is scheduled 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1, in the Main Gallery of California Institute of the Arts, 24700 McBean Pkwy., Valencia.

Those who purchase tickets before May 31 will receive discounted prices of $60 per person or $110 per couple. Prices at the door will be $70 per person or $120 per couple. Group sales for a minimum of 10 people are available until May 17 for $50 per person. Designated drivers may obtain tickets for just $35.

A wide selection of current and rare, vintage wines will be offered during a silent auction, professional musicians will perform for guests, and vintage library wines will be available for tasting. All guests will receive souvenir wine glasses and trays.

The SCV Youth Orchestra is a three-tiered instrumental educational program that was founded at CalArts in 1986 and moved to College of the Canyons in 1989. The program provides a positive and creative outlet for hundreds of young musicians.

“The Wine Classic has traditionally been a major source of funds for the Youth Orchestra program, and we are delighted it will now also help the Santa Clarita Symphony,” said Terry Montross, president of the Youth Orchestra Board of Directors.

The Santa Clarita Symphony Association is a new non-profit organization dedicated to creating a professional symphony orchestra that will attract Santa Clarita Valley audiences to symphonic music, strengthen music education in our schools, and inspire young and old to appreciate orchestral literature.

“It is very difficult to start a new professional symphony,” said Sally Angel, founder and vice president of the Santa Clarita Symphony Association. “It requires a lot of money to hire musicians, but nobody wants to contribute until you’ve done something. Proceeds from the Wine Classic, together with funding from the City of Santa Clarita and the Music Performance Trust Fund, will enable us to present our first concert this summer.”

The Santa Clarita Symphony will perform its inaugural concert as the finale to the city’s 2002 Concerts in the Parks series at Newhall Park on Sept. 1.

Both the Youth Orchestra and the Symphony are directed by Robert Lawson, a member of the music faculty at College of the Canyons and chair of the Music Department at Ventura College.

Wine Classic tickets can be charged to MasterCard or Visa by calling (661) 362-3415 or 253-3604, or purchased by mailing a check payable to the SCVYO Foundation, c/o Public Information Office, College of the Canyons, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Remember to include a return address.