New Jersey Youth Symphony

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Paterson Music Project Blog: Voices of the Silk City by Danielle Lefebvre | June 2019

On May 19, 32 Paterson Music Project students joined 120 New Jersey Youth Symphony students on stage at NJPAC for the NJYS 40^th anniversary celebration. Twelve-year-old PMP violinist, Akeira, from Alexander Hamilton Elementary School recalls performing at NJPAC:

“I have been to NJPAC twice; both times I went were very, very fascinating experiences! I found it different to play in such a big orchestra at NJPAC; I am usually used to playing in a small orchestra with twenty people or less.”

When asked about playing with older, more experienced students, Akeira said, “It encourages me to work harder and be almost just like them.”

The PMP students performed Palladio by Karl Jenkins, Dance of the Tumblers by Rimsky Korsakov, and a world premiere of three Langston Hughes poems for choir and orchestra by Jack Bender. Akeira said, “My favorite piece out of the three was Palladio. It is my favorite piece because of the dynamic changes and how it is composed. It is more intense and more unusual than the music I usually play.”

Akeira concluded her reflection on the day by saying, “My first time going to NJPAC, I was extremely nervous because it was only my first year in music. My second time going, I was not nervous because over the past year I have advanced. I was way more confident than I was before. I have really enjoyed both my experiences at NJPAC. I hope I can go again next year!”