Watch NJSO CHAMPS students perform

Following a successful six-week pilot program last spring, the NJSO and University Heights Charter School (UHCS) in Newark will present the first full school year of NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project)—an innovative education program inspired by the social development and music education program El Sistema in Venezuela. NJSO CHAMPS seeks to develop students’ goal-directed behavior and skills to foster social and academic success; improving their self-esteem, academic achievement and lifelong character traits like perseverance and leadership.

Watch a YouTube video of CHAMPS students rehearsing and performing in April and May after only six weeks of violin instruction.

Read a feature on the program’s pilot year, including stories from The Star-Ledger and SymphonyNOW.