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News 12 Staff

46spotlightnj2_2024-04-06-09-23-26

Mm to start from the string, everyone start from the string and then Henry is gonna go three in his mind. Three. And then that's when you have to breathe together. We don't mind if you sound like OK, yes, those are members of the New Jersey Youth Symphony rehearsing right here in our studios here at News 12 New Jersey for spotlight New Jersey. That is their artistic director and principal conductor, Helen Chao. All right, this is beautiful. We just heard from you about why you got involved. So Rowan Mendel, you're next. Why did you? So if my parents found this organization, I, my journey with New Jersey Youth Symphony is probably a bit shorter than everyone else's on my third year. But I really love it and all the people I've met is really great, but my parents found it and they were looking for an organization for me to partake in because I didn't really have much back near me. I had a local youth orchestra but I wanted something a little bit more and my parents found this and my mom brought it to my teacher and was like, oh, like, do you think you could get in and my teacher was like, yeah. And so I auditioned and I got into the Philharmonia level and it was great. I loved working with Mark Gunderman. And then the next year I got to move up to the youth Orchestra with Simon Lips gar, it was really just an incredible experience. And then this year to get to work with Helen, it's really amazing and they just, all the directors at New Jersey Youth Symphony just, it's, it's like a home away from home and they make it so enjoyable and such a pleasant experience. And it's just really been an incredible part of my life. Do you feel the same way, Aaron? Oh, absolutely. I joined New Jersey Symphony um with, with Rowan actually in my freshman year of high school. But before that, I was, you know, part of many music conservatories, I started in Baltimore at the Pea Bobby Institute. And then I, when I moved to New York, I would join the man's pre college. And then, of course, during COVID that, that kind of put like a bunch of things. And so starting high school, I kind of wanted to, you know, rekindle my love for orchestral playing. So my parents found this organization and then I auditioned, I got to yo under the baton of Simon Lips Gar. And then from there, I was in yo for two years with Rowan for one. And then this year I'm with Helen and it's just been like such a great community. Like everyone said, it's really just like, you know, everyone there is really passionate about what they do. Everyone's so talented and it's just like, it's really humbling to be in a room of so many great musicians who are just so passionate about what they do. What about the cello? That's a beautiful instrument. Well, I didn't really pick the cello. My, my mom did, actually, she said that the island was too scratchy for her. And when she wanted to, when, when she thought I would be practicing, she did want to hear like cat noises in the background. So she thought she thought the cello would be, you know, a much, a little easier on the ear. And I just think that, I mean, my personal opinion, I think the cello is the best instrument. It has the range, it has that warm tone. It's so much like the human voice. I think it's, it's just really, really beautiful. And coming up next at noon, Henry Lee explains how he got involved with the New Jersey Youth Symphony cello quartet.

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46spotlightnjpart3_2024-04-06-12-24-20

45 years. Yes, that's what we are talking. The New Jersey Youth Symphony is celebrating this year. Congratulations to them. Henry Lee is part of the cello quartet. Tell us how you got involved with this. Uh I first uh got into uh New Jersey Symphony through my friends. Uh I went to the same school as Samir and there are a number of other cellist who also uh went to uh or audition for New Jersey and Symphony were part of the organization before I joined and they sort of like, convinced me to audition. Uh So I started a bit later than everyone else, but I think it's been a remarkable journey. Uh It's helped me grow as both, uh not only as a musician but also as a person, the um uh teamwork aspect and dedication. Uh We spend uh three hours every, uh every Tuesday evening, uh rehearsing. So it's a significant time commitment, but I think it's uh absolutely worth it. What do you love about the C out? I mean, it's like it talks to you as you're playing and speaking from the heart. Absolutely. I think, um uh playing the cello and I think music in general has been sort of, uh, a way for me to escape the, uh, stresses of the, uh, you know, my daily life. Uh, it's, you know, you sort of isolate yourself, remove yourself from all, like all of your deadlines and, uh, work that you have to do and to just, you know, spend some quality time with your instrument. And I think it's, uh, an excellent way for me to sort of like uh uh keep in touch with the world and sort of uh maintain my mental health, maintain your mental health. And we know how big that is Helen, don't we? It is, you know, and especially post COVID, right? But during COVID on New Jersey Youth Symphony, we were able to engage our students, you know, through online offerings, it's never the same as, as they, you know, you saw them rehearsing together, you know, being in the same room, there's nothing that can replace that. At the same time, we get a lot of students saying, I don't know what I would have done during COVID had I not had the music and the community such as New Jersey Youth Symphony. So that keeps our team, you know, early in the morning, wake up and go to work because it really is something special, this language of music. I like the way you say that this language of music. How do you all balance that language along with your other other studies and activities. That's a great question. Yeah. Um, well, I personally think, like, for me, at least music is a break from everything else. Right. I think music is a break from school work and when I'm doing school work it's also like, also a break from music. Right. Everything is a break from, from everything else. And I think just being able to, like, view music as something that I can just take an hour out of my day to just focus on this, ignore everything else around me, even rehearsal. You know, those, those three hours we're just all together focusing on like, really working hard on one piece of music. I think it's just, it's a really great way to just kind of disconnect from all your, you know, struggles.

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47spotlightnjsunday1_2024-04-07-10-37-51

We are chatting with members of the New Jersey Youth Symphony in Union County. Helen is their principal conductor and artistic director. We have Samir Rowan, Aaron and Henry all here. You all just recently performed at A P playathon. Yes. Yes. At about. So that's our beloved annual uh tradition where we have over 500 musicians making one ginormous orchestra. It is, yeah, third grade through 12th graders and we even had some alumni come back because it's our 45th an. So anyway, um we do this at the Mills uh in Elizabeth. It's the Jersey Gardens Mall and we perform for the public. And at the same time, you know, our tuition only covers a portion of our operating costs. And so it's a largest fundraising event for New Jersey Youth Symphony, sharing the movie music, iconic in a Broadway show, music. And so really a happy day. But another really meaningful thing that we do is that the day of the playathon, whatever money that we raise 25% goes to another organization, not for profit organization that serves Children. And this year we were able to donate almost $4000 to children's specialized hospital in Union. I know they appreciate that donation. Yeah. And, you know, we're using music to bring community together, uh, all of the parents, but all of the past rabbi were like, what is this? You know, and they love music who doesn't like music and to see young people making music together. So I think it's a magical combination. How do you all like knowing that your music is helping to give back? It really feels like good, like it feels like we're doing something like music is like it's for us, but I feel like the way we can use it is to help other people. And I think that's a big portion of what New Jersey Youth Symphony tries to do. They try and provide music opportunities for those that maybe can't afford it. And I think it's a really good program because then you can use that music to spread love and it's really cool. Oh, spread love. That is so well put you were part of the Wharton Arts program. Yes. So, you know, New Jersey Youth Symphony is one of four Wharton Arts programs. Wharton Institute for the performing arts is the largest not for profit organization that serves Children in performing arts uh education here in the state uh in, in, in New Jersey and um New Jersey Youth Symphony. And then we have New Jersey Youth Chorus and then we have performing arts school in Berkeley Heights. But also we serve over 600 students in Patterson, uh, free after school instrumental program. And that's called Patterson Music Project. And really are kind of heart of our, uh, Wharton Arts organization. It sounds like you draw in students from all over the state. Yes, 12 different counties. And we have over 2000 students. What are the ages of the students? So, for the performing arts school, you can take any private lessons. You know, they probably all started, you know, playing the cello and they were, you know, really, really small. So, we have anyone from early childhood, kindergarten and younger all the way actually to older adults because we do have a life long learning at our performing arts school. So, a majority of the students are third through the 12th graders age. Yeah.

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47spotlightnjsunday2_2024-04-07-10-39-23

My guests are all with a New Jersey Youth Symphony. Helen is the principal conductor and artistic director, Samir Rowan Aaron and Henry are also here chatting with me. You all love this school. Absolutely. What are your plans? You're juniors now? But what comes after that? Do you think? It's a great question. I would say that the impact of uh the New Jersey Youth Symphony on me throughout my um elementary school, middle school and now continuing through my high high school. It's not just currently in the anchor and it's a mainstay for me as I navigate the hectic um school life and schedule, but it's also something that has lifelong impact and whether uh my journey is musical or not. I'm still sort of deciding exactly what I'm gonna do. Music is with me for the rest of the, of my life. Thanks to Nois and because of what they do um will be with you too for the rest of your life. Yeah. I, ever since fourth grade, I've known that I've, I've wanted to pursue music into a career and into college and I think the New Jersey Symphony has only bolstered that belief and I can't wait to see where music will take me echo off some here. I'm not really sure where I wanna go after high school, but I know for a fact, like music is always going to be with me. Um I definitely plan on continuing to join different chamber groups just like participating in various types of music. I think it's just always gonna be with me. Uh Me personally, I'm still also thinking uh my future over. Uh but music is a lifelong gift uh that I've, you know, been so fortunate to uh receive through uh my participation in the New Jersey Symphony. And I think uh no matter where I go, uh music will always be with me, always be with me. That is the legacy of this school Helen. How long have you been there? Well, this is my sixth season in my role and I cannot tell you how I am to have these stellar human beings, you know, go in and out of our building and making music. And uh as they said, music is something that you can have for yourself. But also my message to young people is music is meant to be shared. So you need to use that as a tool to make your community and surroundings a better place. And what do you try to share with these students in class? I mean, you're a very animated conductor. I love it. Well, you know, we make music at a very high level. So, and I know that their goals and they're not satisfied with mediocrity. And so I have to honor that and I treat them as professional musicians and that's the only way that I feel that, you know, they can really learn from a professional like myself, but creating that environment. So it's not so much of what I say, probably, but it's the environment that we can create and they push each other. You know, they are the best teachers, you know, they are peer, um you know, coming together and sharing ideas. So it's, it's a place where it's a safe place. First of all, it's also a place where individual young people can blossom in their own way. And also you can be part of something that's larger than yourself. You learn about how to be a contributing member of a community.

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47spotlightnjfinal_2024-04-07-12-28-44

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News 12’s Della Crews spoke with members of the music school to learn more about the milestone.

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