DHHS, Wilbur Cross Musicians Make Music Together

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) has announced the Webster Bank Music Exchange Program, a partnership connecting student instrumental ensembles from urban and suburban high schools through collaborative music making.

The program provides a community building opportunity for students from Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven and Daniel Hand High School in Madison. Joining common interests and talents, the students will perform together in a combined concert on April 12, at 6:45 p.m. at Woolsey Hall.

"Webster Bank is pleased to sponsor this unique and creative connection through the international language of music. It showcases our ongoing commitment to high quality educational programming and demonstrates the value of investing in our youth," said Jeffrey A. Klaus, regional president at Webster Bank.

Students and teachers from both schools met in November, attending a meet and greet, pre-concert lecture and an NHSO concert at Woolsey Hall. Participating in the exchange are 25 musicians from the Wilbur Cross High School band program, under the direction of Jeremy Barnes, and 70 band and orchestra members from Daniel Hand High School's music program, under the direction of Taralyn Bulyk-Wadrous and John Gage, respectively.

Through a series of sectionals, coachings, and rehearsals conducted by NHSO Music Director William Boughton, NHSO musicians, and Composer Christopher Theofanidis, students in this exchange will spend the next months preparing for a performance of Theofanidis's Rainbow Body. A new real-time video technology called MOVI, developed by Yale University, allows real-time link-up capabilities that enable students to participate in sectionals, coachings, and rehearsals virtually. More exciting is the opportunity for students from each school to be in touch with one another about their experience and music-making.

"This program utilizes technology to connect students from different neighborhoods, the incredible talents of NHSO musicians to inform students, and the experience of working with a living, local composer and conductor," said NHSO Education Director Laura Adam. "We are thrilled to be the hub that brings so many talented students and community members together."

The Webster Bank Music Exchange Program is funded by Webster Bank.