During the weekend of February 6th and 7th, select members of the LJCDS US Orchestra and Band (and a few band members from middle school) traveled up to Calabasas for the California Association of Independent Schools Honors Music Festival. It was hosted at the Viewpoint School. Called CAIS for short, this event is an annual two-day-long intensive music festival for high school students who attend private schools in Southern California. The selected students from all these schools play in one combined orchestra or band, depending upon their instrument. 

On the drive up, the musicians stopped at the Irvine Spectrum for shopping and lunch. After that, they arrived at their hotel, checked in, then headed to the Viewpoint School. They then spent the rest of the evening and until 3:30 the next day rehearsing. The many hours of rehearsal culminated in a performance the evening of the 7th. Every year, CAIS hosts guest conductors. This year, the orchestra’s guest conductor was Richard Meyer, who is known for his compositions for youth orchestras. The band conductor was Steven Fox. The performances are always very high quality, and the musicians learn a lot from the experience. Students who attended this event are as follows: Grant Alexander (MS), Sophie Bohl, Marijke Bohl, Jacqui Bose, Aaron Chaplin, Isaac Chen, Aleksandar Djuric, Sandy He, Jun Huh, Thomas Johnston, Edwin Kwan, Travis Lee, Sedona Lineback, Callan Mischer (MS), Sean Spence (MS), Liam Thompson (MS), Kai Vines, Mia Wei.