Watch NJSO CHAMPS, Fiddle-and-Fa-La-La-Fest performances

Aug 12, 2014

NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project)—part of the NJSO Academy—is an intensive education program inspired by the Venezuelan social change and music education program El Sistema. The program seeks to develop students’ goal-directed behavior and skills to foster social and academic success, improving students’ self-esteem, academic achievement and lifelong character traits like perseverance and leadership through learning the intricacies of playing a string instrument.

A percussion rhythm driving “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” Variations. Choreographed swaying to the beat of the music. Bob Marley. Beethoven. Hundreds of young musicians across New Jersey coming together for a celebratory performance. June’s Fiddle-and-Fa-La-La-Fest at NJPAC in Newark checked all the boxes.

In the first joint performance by the El Sistema New Jersey Alliance of El Sistema-inspired music-instruction programs across the state, NJSO CHAMPS, the Paterson Music Project, Sonic Expressions and Union City Music Project showcased their skills, then united for a mashup of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” and Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” that inspired families and audience members to sing along.

Seventh-grade violist Al T. says of his NJPAC experiences: “It was very fun and exciting—I got to experience something that is very rare. I feel very proud of what I’ve accomplished so far. The best thing I’ve learned is how to control my instrument and know it very well—[it’s cool] to feel that the instrument is part of you, like it’s your partner.”

CHAMPS teaching artist Jessica Garand says: “Performing [at NJPAC] opens up exciting possibilities for them. When you’ve performed in front of thousands of people, you see yourself a little differently. After those concerts, I see them come away standing a little taller.”

The performance opportunities CHAMPS has afforded the participating students at University Heights Charter School in Newark go beyond Fiddle-and-Fa-La-La-Fest. Watch CHAMPS students prepare for and perform their annual concert at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark:

Al says the lessons he’s learned in CHAMPS extend beyond music and into the classroom: “If you want to put your mind to something, you really have to put effort into it. Practicing is pretty much the same as studying. In my class, I’ve improved my grades to an A. Sometimes when I’m doing a test, I might think about music and how inspired it makes me, so then I might get inspired to [work harder to] answer the questions.”

Garand says: “[As they progress], they become better peer mentors. They’ll go and fix a friend’s hand position or lead the class. It is such a joy to see them really start to think of themselves as musicians.”

Learn more about NJSO CHAMPS.

Check out more scenes from Fiddle-and-Fa-La-La-Fest: