Former Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts to be honored at R.E.A.C.H. Foundation concert

The R.E.A.C.H. Foundation will be formally recognizing Linda Owen, retired PYLUSD Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), at its benefit concert on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Performing Arts Center (PAC). Linda retired from the district in June 2004 after 37 years in music education.

Linda grew up in Los Angeles, and started playing the violin in the fourth grade as part of her school’s music program. She attended Whittier College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Master of Arts degree in Education.

Linda started teaching elementary instrumental music in the Placentia Unified School District in 1967 when the district had under 10,000 students. She cofounded the Placentia Youth Orchestra in 1968, which was a precursor to today’s Orange County Youth Symphony. She became the Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts for the district in 1987. Linda was instrumental in developing the string program in the district. During her career, Linda taught over 5,000 students, and organized and facilitated concerts and festivals for over 125,000 students.

Linda is currently a violinist with the Pacific Symphony, joining as a founding member in 1978. She was a member of the Long Beach Symphony and concertmaster of the Rio Hondo Symphony. As first violinist of the Santiago String Quartet, she is an active chamber musician.

Bring “Fourth” the Music
Reminder: the R.E.A.C.H. Foundation is presenting “Bring ‘Fourth’ the Music” on Sunday, Oct. 25. This concert takes place at the PAC on the campus of El Dorado High School, 1651 N. Valencia Ave. in Placentia.

Tickets can be purchased online at reach4pylusd.org, or at the box office before the show. The price is $12 for children, students and senior citizens, and $20 for adults. All net proceeds from this event will benefit the PYLUSD fourth grade music program.

Ticket holders will be invited to a complimentary pre-concert ice cream float from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., followed by great musical performances from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The lineup includes our very own talented PYLUSD student musicians from Tuffree, Yorba Linda Middle, Bernardo Yorba, Travis Ranch Middle, Kraemer and Wagner (among others), as well as special guests, The Alley Cats, America’s premier doo-wop group. Following the concert, there will be a meet-and-greet photo op with The Alley Cats.

*Note: this is not a district-sponsored event.