News

Catina Connects

January 23, 2023

Meet Catina Billups, the Connection Specialist with Soundscapes, and learn about what she does at the Carver Elementary daily program.

Thomas Wilkins Visits Soundscapes

October 31, 2022

The great Meastro Thomas Wilkins (Principal Guest Conductor of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Principal Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and Artistic Advisor for Education and Community Engagement for the Boston Symphony Orchestra) visited Soundscapes today. He started out by listening to our Performance Quintet, joined in our Bucket Band, visited our Level 2 classes, and conducted our full orchestra.

Ensemble 7/4 at Soundscapes

October 17, 2022

During their residency, members from Ensemble 7/4 dropped in to comment about El Sistema, and the value of music making in Newport News at Soundscapes, and around the world.

International award-winning musicians to play at Soundscapes Gala

September 16, 2022

Award-winning musical group Ensamble 7/4 will bring their unique blend of Venezuelan folk music, Latin American music, and jazz to Newport News on October 1 at the Soundscapes Gala. The Gala, which will be held at 6 p.m. at the Newport News Marriott at City Center, will raise funds to support the student musicians of… Read more »

Soundscapes to Expand and Enhance Programs

August 10, 2022

City of Newport News Awards $65,000 to Soundscapes to Prevent Gun Violence Soundscapes will provide its music education services for more middle and high school students with grant funding from the City of Newport News. Soundscapes was one of 19 local organizations to receive funds from the City as part of their new Gun Violence Intervention Program.  Soundscapes… Read more »

Reunite in our Community

June 27, 2022

A Soundscapes collective composition in collaboration with Play USA and Carnegie Hall’s Reflection on Resilience prompt. Soundscapes musicians reflected on the necessity for resilience, and the mechanisms in response to that resiliency. “Reunite in Our Community” is their musical and poetic expression of this prompt. “Reunite in Our Community” was shared at the PlayUSA National Convening at Carnegie Hall on June 27th, 2022.

Creative Leaders:
Joe Hamm
Rebecca Kim
Westley Benson
Catina Billups

Student Musicians: Kawtar Ajlani-Violin, Lee Benton-Viola, Tracie Epps-Cello, Raelyn Flanagan-Flute, Julie Hayes-Violin, Noah Hill-Flute, Valentina Huayhualla-Cello, Saniya Hundley-Sweeney-Trumpet, Yarelie Lopez-Gomez-Violin, Chloe Park-Violin, Claire Park-Cello, Krystal Stokes-Violin, Aniya Walker-Violin, Deandre Ward-Trumpet, Parker Wilson-Flute, Jemon Windham-Trombone.

Important Changes at Soundscapes

April 1, 2022

Anne Henry to Become First Director of Government Initiatives Soundscapes Co-founder and Executive Director Anne Henry will be moving into the new position of Director of Government Initiatives beginning May 1. After leading the organization from a small start-up with just 40 students to a thriving nonprofit that has reached more than 1,400 students since 2009,… Read more »

Featured on WHRO Curate

December 21, 2021

WHRO highlighted Soundscapes in a December episode of Curate, a series that explores the thriving art scene in our own backyard and across America. Click the video above to watch the whole episode! The segment featuring Soundscapes begins at the 10:36 mark, and Peninsula Youth Orchestra is featured during the closing credits.

We think you’ll agree, the students and teaching artists who were interviewed did an amazing job representing the organization!