As the nation prepares to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley will present a musical tribute that bridges civil rights history with the next generation of artists. The school’s vocal arts conservatory will perform Gospel music and works by Black composers on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 4 p.m., offering the community a chance to honor MLK Day through the voices of young performers.
The free concert at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena continues Third@First’s commitment to supporting local music students in its twelfth season. The series provides a platform for young artists while making exceptional musical performances accessible to the entire community.
Dr. Junko Ueno Garrett, an artistic coordinator of the Third@First Concert Series, is organizing the MLK Day celebration that brings together young talent with music rooted in the civil rights movement and the works of Black composers.
CSArts-SGV serves approximately 1,200 students in grades 6 through 12, combining rigorous academics with pre-professional arts training across five disciplines: dance, fine and media arts, music, and theatre. Founded in 2017 and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the award-winning public charter school prepares creative, talented students for higher education and careers in the arts.
The school operates as a donation-dependent institution where no student is admitted or denied based on financial capacity. Community support helps fund the arts conservatory programs, ensuring that talented young people have access to professional-level training regardless of their family’s economic circumstances.
The concert will take place at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd. in downtown Pasadena. The sanctuary seats 1,500 people and features remarkable acoustics that enhance the concert experience. The venue’s century-old history provides an appropriate setting for a celebration honoring Dr. King’s enduring impact on American society.
Admission remains free for all Third@First concerts, though a voluntary offering will be received at the event or through the series website at www.thirdatfirst.org. Additional information about the concert series is available at the same website.
The twelfth season of Third@First includes a Piano Extravaganza, Joy of Chamber Music featuring Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians, the annual Christmas Joy Concert, and performances by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, among other offerings.
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 4 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Visit www.thirdatfirst.org. Tickets: Free (voluntary offering accepted).
