New York Philharmonic To Perform With City Children in Two Free Collaborative Concerts
New York Philharmonic Harmony Program
Children in New York City have a special opportunity to work with the esteemed musicians of the New York Philharmonic for the fifth consecutive year this May, with many exciting new collaborations added to the roster for 2019.
The orchestra is continuing its collaborative partnership with young musicians by presenting two free side-by-side concerts as part of their All Stars Initiative on May 20 and 29, 2019. The All Stars Initiative helps give students a personal and in-depth chance to work alongside professional musicians, and features students from the Harmony Program in New York City. This year, children in South Bronx are represented by students in UpBeat NYC in addition to the Harmony Program. The collaboration of musicians does not stop there, and for the first time in over two decades the orchestra has reinstated a partnership with the All-City High School Orchestra and Concert Band.
All-City High School Orchestra and Concert Band
From the All-City High School Orchestra and Concert Band, 200 young musicians have been coached by 12 of the New York Philharmonic’s musicians since February and have already participated in pre-concert activities in the New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concerts. These students worked with audience members aged 6 to 12 as they experimented with the variety of instruments used in the orchestra.
For the first time in almost 20 years, the All-City students will present a free concert alongside their mentors from the Philharmonic on Monday, May 20, 2019, at 6:45pm at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The concert will be conducted by All-City Orchestra principal conductor Barry Stern with All-City Concert Band co-principal conductors Jeff W. Ball and Eli Kronenberg. Featured works include those by Viet Cuong, Mahler, and John Zdechlik. Free tickets will be available for distribution at the Skirball Box Office on the evening of the performance.
The All City High-School Music Program is now in its 83rd season and has influenced millions of student musicians with their musical offerings. Young musicians can participate in a full orchestra, chorus, Latin ensemble as well as concert, marching, and jazz bands. The programs work with students from 61 public high schools in New York City, and is operated by the NYCDOE’s Office of Arts & Special Projects.
A total of 23 students from New York City elementary, middle, and high schools were selected for a five-month mentorship with Philharmonic musicians and will be presenting the results of this partnership in a free concert on Wednesday, May 29, 2019. Five students from UpBeat NYC and 18 from the Harmony Program are the participants in this collaboration between young and experienced musicians. The concert will take place at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, to be conducted by Michael Adelson. Works by Kummer, Shuebruk, Price, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Ellington, and Christopher Rouse will be featured in this non-ticketed event with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
UpBeat NYC provides free classical, Latin, and jazz musical training to children in South Bronx who otherwise have limited access to high-quality arts education. The after school program is immersive and year-round, and was founded in 2009. The Harmony Program began in 2004, and also provides free year-round training to students. The community-based program allows children in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brookyln, and Queens to experience instrumental and choral training.
New York Philharmonic education programs
These exciting opportunities for students are part of the Philharmonic’s wide range of education programs provided to young musicians. They also present the Young People’s Concerts, Very Young People’s Concerts, Young People’s Concerts for Schools, Philharmonic Schools, an immersive classroom program spearheaded by the Philharmonic’s Teaching Artists, Very Young Composers, which enables students to express themselves through original works that are often performed by Philharmonic musicians, and Insights at the Atrium, free discussions delving into the themes of the season. The New York Philharmonic’s educational outreach involves more than 45,000 children and adults in live educational experiences each year, with millions participating online in addition to the hands on work the orchestra provides.
Make sure to include these two free concerts from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to your spring calendar!
Support for Young People’s Concerts is provided by The Theodore H. Barth Foundation and The Brodsky Family Foundation, and programs are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
— Darby Swab