What does pure joy sound like? More than 400 students, representing grades 5-12 from the Irvine Unified School District, belting out “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at Segerstrom Concert Hall on March 14, 2022.

It was the finale of the 38th annual Donald Bren Honors Concert and a fitting tribute to IUSD’s 50th anniversary. Despite the budget cuts affecting other schools, “Irvine’s program has flourished, thanks to community support like that of Irvine Company and its Chairman Donald Bren,” IUSD Superintendent Terry Walker said. “The concert is a demonstration of this commitment.”

Northwood High senior Kathy Chun, a bassist who has been accepted at Yale University, said she was thrilled to take part in one of IUSD’s oldest traditions.

“To hear the blending of all the instruments and all the voices, with the elementary and middle school students all coming together too, it was amazing,” she said. “It’s really an honor to be here.”