By Mabel Pais
Wharton Arts, New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit performing arts education center, presents 117 youth musicians from the New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) and New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC) travel to Italy and France to perform at world class venues, in formal concerts and community concerts, as well as participating in an exchange with European youth conservatory programs.
“In our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional performance opportunities for our students, Wharton Arts recognizes the profound impact of international tours,” said Helen H. Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director. “These tours offer our students a transformative experience where they can fully immerse themselves in the richness of foreign cultures, perform at prestigious concert venues, and embark on a journey of personal growth, all while creating unforgettable memories with friends. We are thrilled to embark on an extraordinary tour through the captivating country of Italy, renowned for its historical and vibrant cultural heritage. Additionally, our tribute tour to France in homage to the legendary Michel Legrand presents a one-of-a-kind exclusive opportunity for our young jazz musicians.”
The NJYS and NJYC tour to Italy, June 27-July 6, features performances in Rome, Florence, Cremona, and Milan. The NJYS led by Conductor Helen H. Cha-Pyo will perform at Rome’s Chiesa Arcangelo San Michele and Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, Florence’s Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini and Teatro La Pergola, Cremona Solidale, and Milan’s Teatro Dal Verme. The NJYC Coriste and Camerata led by Conductor Patricia Joyce with accompanist Phillip Steffani will perform at Rome’s Basilica di San Pietro and Basilica di Sant’Andrea Della Valle, Florence’s Basilica di Santo Spirito and the Florence American Cemetery, Cremona’s Saint Ilario Church, and Milan’s San Antonio Abate Church and the Duomo di Milano.
The NJYS Jazz Orchestra tour to France, July 10-17, features performances in Paris at La Bellevilloise Jazz Club and Montmartre’s Pan Piper Jazz Club, and in Nice at Festival Jazz Verdon and La Croix Valmer’s Soirées d’Été of the Festival des Arches D’Azur. The NJYS Jazz Orchestra is led by Director Dion Tucker with guest soloist David Linx.
TOUR DETAILS
Follow all of Wharton Arts’ students on tour on Instagram at @newjerseyyouthsymphony, @njyouthchorus, and @njysjazz.
Wharton Arts
Wharton Arts’ mission is to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities.
Wharton Arts’ vision is for a transformative performing arts education in an inclusive community to be accessible for everyone.
Wharton Arts is located in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Paterson, NJ and reaches students from 12 counties. All of Wharton Arts’ extraordinary teaching artists, faculty members, and conductors hold degrees in their teaching specialty and have been vetted and trained to enable our students to achieve their personal best.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Education, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)