Academy Orchestra performs side by side with NJSO
The NJSO’s February 7 family concert, “The Land of Make Believe,” thrilled more young people than just the ones who sat in the audience. The concert also offered something special for the students of the NJSO Academy Orchestra—the chance to join the professional orchestra for a day, playing side by side with NJSO musicians on stage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.
The top ensemble in the NJSO’s family of youth orchestras, the Academy Orchestra annually participates in a side-by-side concert with the NJSO. Last weekend, the student musicians performed Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain and Williams’ Harry’s Wondrous World under the baton of NJSO Associate Conductor Gemma New.
Peter, a violist in his second season with the Academy Orchestra, called the side-by-side concert “an amazing opportunity to play with these professionals—and to learn from them.”
Amelia, a violinist, saw a chance to get a real taste of the profession she dreams of having as an adult: “I look forward to being able to be one of the people wearing the black shirts,” referencing the all-black concert attire of the professional orchestra. “I hope that I will one day be able to teach music, so this is a great opportunity for me to look up to somebody that I’ll hopefully be like in the future.”
Musicians from @NJSOyo are backstage and ready to perform with us today! pic.twitter.com/OS9uj3ozVu
— New Jersey Symphony (@NJSymphony) February 7, 2015
Academy Orchestra students said the side-by-side experience is just one of the reasons the youth-orchestra program resonates for them. Fallon, a violinist, said: “There are tremendous opportunities in the NJSO Youth Orchestras, but the most unique thing about the program is the community—my peers, my friends, the NJSO musician coaches. Everyone is incredibly supportive, and that’s something I haven’t always found in other groups.”
Check out scenes from the family concert and pre-concert adventures: