Spotlight on MANY (Music for the Advancement of Newark-area Youth)
Entering its third season, MANY (Music for the Advancement of Newark-area Youth) is a partnership between the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and NJSO aimed at increasing Greater Newark-area students’ access to high-quality instrumental music instruction.
MANY bridges two programs—the NJSO Training Ensemble and NJPAC Symphonic Band—for fifth- through 10th-grade students. MANY ensembles help students develop instrumental proficiency while building leadership skills and preparing them for acceptance into performance-based educational programs within the Greater Newark community. These include the Arts High School Orchestra and Concert Band, Newark School of the Arts, NJPAC Brick City Jazz Orchestra, Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens and NJSO Youth Orchestras.
NJSO Vice President of Education & Community Engagement Marshell Jones Kumahor says: “This collaboration allows us to serve Newark students and surrounding areas in substantive ways. We realized we could do more for these students and their families together than we could have independently.”
“Our partnership on MANY with the NJSO [provides] more children the opportunity to explore their musical passions,” says NJPAC Vice President of Arts Education Alison Scott-Williams. “Musical and instrumental education programs like this are vital in the development of young talent. Students [use] their instruments to collaborate with their peers and improve their skills as an ensemble.”
Since the pilot year, MANY has served more than 150 students. Last season, the MANY ensembles gave a joint performance at the Youth Orchestras Spotlight concert at NJPAC. “I loved how I got to learn how to read music and be confident with how I play,” one student said.
Parents have praised the program’s effects. One says: “My child expresses more of an interest in learning and participating in different art programs, and she has become more proficient in creative and critical thinking.” Others see in their children a greater sense of responsibility and focus.
Again this year, the NJSO Training Ensemble will join the NJPAC Symphonic Band for two concerts.
Photo by Norman DeShong