HUNTINGTON BEACH : Music Panel Awards Grants to 7 Schools

Using proceeds from last year’s Christmas boat parade, the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee has donated $15,000 toward seven school music programs in Huntington Beach.

The committee, which each year conducts the “Cruise of Lights” holiday boat parade in the harbor, awards grants each year to enhance music enrichment programs.

With the grant money, Harbour View School will hire a part-time chorale teacher and buy new instruments; Agnes L. Smith and Circle View schools will hire a part-time music teacher whom they will share; Ethel Dwyre Middle School will use the funds to pay for busing students to the Orange County Performing Arts Center; St. Bonaventure School will buy aluminum risers and other materials for chorale performances, and Marina and Huntington Beach high schools will repair and buy instruments.

This year’s boat parade will begin Friday. It will be held four times nightly through Dec. 21. The boats, elaborately decorated with lights, will cruise the harbor at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Admission is $8.50 for adults and $5 for children ages 2 to 12. Infants are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at the committee’s office in the Huntington Harbour mall or by calling (714) 840-7542.