Our Story
The story of Soundscapes began with inspiration and determination. In 2008, Executive Director and Co-founder Anne Henry watched a powerful 60 Minutes feature on El Sistema, a revolutionary youth development program using community-based orchestras to transform lives in Venezuela. Inspired to bring this life-changing approach to Newport News, Anne envisioned a similar program that would equip local students with the skills to excel in school and grow into engaged, thriving citizens.
Knowing that expertise in music education would be essential, Anne recruited co-founder Rey Ramirez from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to help bring her vision to life. Together, they launched Soundscapes in 2009 with 40 first-grade students at Carver Elementary School learning rhythm and teamwork on bucket drums.
Since those humble beginnings, Soundscapes has grown into a transformative force. By 2024, Soundscapes has served over 2,000 students.
Today Soundscapes programs serve hundreds of students annually through three daily after-school programs, summer camps, the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, and the Peninsula Youth Jazz Band. The youngest students still begin their journey with buckets, while advanced students perform in a full orchestra. Since its start, Soundscapes has served over 2,000 students. This remarkable growth has been made possible by a dynamic partnership with Newport News Public Schools and ongoing support from the City of Newport News and many other individual, business, government, and foundation partners.
El Sistema
Soundscapes is based on El Sistema, a youth orchestra program that originated in Venezuela over forty years ago. Now found in more than 65 countries, El Sistema-inspired programs use music education and performance opportunities to give young people the skills they need to thrive and become engaged citizens. Soundscapes is the fourth-oldest organization in the United States inspired by El Sistema, the first in Virginia, and a leader among American programs.
Soundscapes is a proud founding member of El Sistema USA and several staff members have served on the ESUSA Board of Directors. This national alliance provides opportunities for members to collaborate to share resources, values, aspirations, and advocacy efforts.
In 2009, Soundscapes began operations at Carver Elementary school with 40 students.
In December of 2009, Music & Arts donated 100 instruments to get Soundscapes started.
In January 2011 our orchestra expanded to include woodwinds and brass in addition to strings.
In October 2014, Soundscapes worked with renowned education assessment consultant Dr. David Dirlam to develop our 9 Dimension rubric to help us track the impact we make on students’ musical and behavioral skills.
In February of 2016, Soundscapes co-founder and executive director Anne Henry received a Humanitarian Award from the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.
Students from Soundscapes are invited to perform at the 2018 Kennedy Center Arts Summit.
We held our first fundraising gala in September 2019 featuring bass artist and music educator Victor Wooten.
We expanded our daily music program to a second location at Greenwood Elementary School in January 2020.
Soundscapes Virtual launched in March 2020 in response to schools shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 60-year-old Peninsula Youth Orchestra became a program of Soundscapes in July 2020.
Every phenomenal performance deserves an encore. By joining the Encore Club, you are giving our student musicians a standing ovation every month and allowing them to come back to the program day after day, year after year.
In August of 2022, Soundscapes was honored to receive the Hampton Arts Foundation’s Renaissance Award.
Soundscapes exists today thanks to the vision and leadership of Co-founder Anne Henry, who guided the organization’s growth for 13 years as Executive Director. Her passion for using music to empower youth united a strong community of leaders and supporters. In May 2022, Anne transitioned to Director of Government Initiatives,…Read More
Soundscapes was awarded LA Philharmonic’s Partners in Music Learning grant. Students visited Youth Orchestra Los Angeles’ National Program.
Soundscapes has officially updated our mission statement to more accurately represent the values we hold and the work we do every day.
In March, Soundscapes launched Teal Table Talks, a podcast and video series available on our YouTube channel and everywhere podcasts are found. Join us for an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at Soundscapes and the community it serves.
In April 2023, we were proud to announce $677,000 in federal appropriations thanks to Congressman Bobby Scott. The funding is to be used to expand access to arts education through Soundscapes.
Soundscapes’ visionary co-founder and former Executive Director, Anne Henry, transitioned away from the organization’s day-to-day leadership, leaving an enduring legacy of passion and purpose. Anne remains an integral part of our mission, continuing to inspire and guide us as a valued member of the Board of Directors.
On February 28th, Peninsula Youth Orchestra performed side-by-side with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for the first time since becoming a program of Soundscapes.
For 15 amazing years, Soundscapes has transformed young lives through the power of music. Thanks to our supporters, educators, and partners, we were proud to celebrate this milestone of music, growth, and impact at our Hollywood-themed Gala. Because of you, the future sounds brighter!
In the fall of 2024, Soundscapes opened a third daily after-school program at Discovery STEM Academy in downtown Newport News. This program began with a Level 1 class of 25 excited elementary students!
To kick off 2025, Soundscapes launched a new community ensemble, the Peninsula Youth Jazz Band. This middle school age group is led by Dr. Steven Cunningham from Hampton University and is focused on traditional big band literature and building important experience within the genre.
