Synopsis

Lindero Canyon Middle School’s music programs are renowned. Matt McKagan, a recent recipient of the national Mr. Holland’s Opus award, leads the program. For some time, public funds have not been able to fully support this program, and fundraising is a necessity. This year, with expected budget cuts, this is not likely to get any better.

Esteban, the guitarist who constantly tops the Billboard charts, will be performing a special concert at The Canyon club in Agoura Hills on Sunday, May 18 at 7:30 pm. Esteban, along with his band, will donate all proceeds to help the LCMS music program.

Tickets are $22.50 for adults, and $17.50 for students, including the $2.50 surcharge from the The Canyon box office. You can also buy them by phone for slightly more by calling The Canyon at 818-879-5016. Finally, if you don’t mind the larger surcharges, you can buy them online at Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/74116). “Dinner and show” tickets available only through The Canyon box office.

Alternatively, if you want to support the LCMS music department, but not go to the concert, you can make a direct donation. Contact Kayla Sayeg, kaysay@sbcglobal.net, for more information.


Background

With money always tight in schools, music departments are no different. Ticket sales will help provide much needed funds for instruments, sheet music, clinics, festival transportation and other costs associated with the award-winning music program.

Esteban’s play list will feature chart-topping blockbusters that range from “Bach to Rock.” Esteban was self-taught as a child, received a music scholarship from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pennsylvania, then embarked on a personal mentoring program from the legendary Master guitarist Andres Segovia. Soon thereafter, while driving in Southern California, Esteban was hit by a drunk driver, leaving his left arm paralyzed and causing further blindness to one eye. His career was by all counts finished, and he took on odd jobs and studied “the business of music” for 10 years.

Undergoing intense therapy, Esteban slowly regained use of his arm. He’s gone on to make headlines on the front page of the Wall Street Journal for record CD sales, and has appeared on The Today Show and Late Night with David Letterman, among others. He recently appeared in a commercial for Geico Insurance.

“It’s all about the music” he says. “I want to give something back.”

To see a music video of Esteban shot at The Canyon last year, go to
(http://www.youtube4you.com/watch-video/iPAca1MHC10/dsahrend/esteban-the-new-fuego-malaguena.html)

Esteban’s CD’s and merchandise available at the concert, and you can enter a raffle to win an autographed guitar. Raffle tickets $5 each.