WHAT: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is proud to present the 66th annual Stairway of the Stars event at Barnum Hall at Santa Monica High School. The immensely popular event, spotlighting the combined talents of the District’s music students, teachers and music curriculum, will take place over three days in February and feature 26 District bands, orchestras and choirs.

Approximately 1,000 student performers who will be led by three prominent guest conductors: Dr. Anna Hamre, Professor of Music at California State University, Fresno (Choir); John Carnahan, Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting at Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California State University, Long Beach (Band); and Richard Meyer, longtime Southland music teacher and current orchestra director at Oak Avenue Intermediate School in Temple City (Orchestra).

The 2015 Stairway Honor Award Recipient, which is presented to a former student, teacher or organization that’s contributed to the advancement of music and arts education, will be the Gail Dorin Music Foundation.

WHEN: Choir Night: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10; Band Night: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12; Orchestra Night: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18

WHERE: Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, 600 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405

DETAILS: Stairway of the Stars is open to the public. Advanced purchase tickets and information can be found at www.smmusd.org/vapa/stairway. General unrestricted seats are $15. Donations to the music program are encouraged and include contribution levels from Sponsor ($50-$99) to Virtuoso ($1,000+). On show nights tickets may be purchased at the Barnum Hall Box Office starting at 5:30 p.m.