If you missed seeing Soundscapes on Focal Point on October 13th, it’s not too late to catch it online! See the full episode on Music in Virginia, then watch the extended interview about Soundscapes.
Soundscapes on Focal Point
October 12, 2023
News
Soundscapes in 40 Seconds
September 13, 2023
At Soundscapes we invest in our communities by providing immersive, engaging, music-making, and ensemble performance opportunities for young people to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills. We make music learning accessible and fun for students from early elementary school through early adulthood. Soundscapes offers free daily after-school music programs, an affordable regional youth orchestra, and several week-long summer camps. Learn more at www.Soundscapes.org
Voices:
Noah Hill – Floutist, 6th Grade
CJ Baker – Trumpeter, 2nd Grade
Jemon Windham – Percussionist and Trombonist, 8th Grade
Jordan Hill – Cellist, PYO 12th Grade
Westley Benson – Wind Band Director
Alana Lunsford – Violinist, 5th Grade
Elijah Johnson – Percussionist, PYO 11th Grade
Krystal Stokes – Violinist, 8th Grade
Catina Billups – Connection Specialist
Joe Hamm – Creative Content Manager
Karma Karter – Cellist, PYO 12th Grade
Sara Balgoyen – Development Director
Carol Minter – Executive Director
Rey Ramirez – Program Director
Featured in Peninsula Chronicle
July 6, 2023
Did you see this Peninsula Chronicle article about the #BofAStudentLeaders program from Bank of America? We’re so glad to have Aaron with us this summer! https:/peninsulachronicle.com/2023/06/30/peninsula-high-school-students-honored-as-bank-of-america-student-leaders
“I Hear Mama’s Voice” with the Peninsula Youth Orchestra
May 31, 2023
Blues legend Bobby BlackHat joins the Peninsula Youth Orchestra on stage to perform his original song “I Hear Mama’s Voice” at the American Theater in Hampton, Virginia.
Written by Bobby BlackHat Arranged by Hamed Barbarji Edited by Rebecca Brown Orchestra Conducted by Rey Ramirez
Give Local 757 2022
April 26, 2023
We’re so thankful for everyone who supported our students through #GiveLocal757 this year!Thanks to you, more than $3000 was added to the Yaffa Howell Music Fund to support our graduating seniors!Check out these behind the scenes exclusives from the LIVE news broadcast yesterday on 13NewsNow WVEC!
Teal Table Talks Episode 3: Congressman Bobby Scott
April 4, 2023
Congressman Bobby Scott joins Carol at the traveling teal table for a conversation at The American Theatre in Hampton, just before a Peninsula Youth Orchestra concert. Hear the big announcement Congressman Scott made during the concert and find out what it means for the future of Soundscapes! Join us for an in-depth and behind-the-scenes look at Soundscapes and the community it serves. Soundscapes is a nonprofit organization in Newport News, Virginia that uses music education and performance to strengthen social, emotional, creative, and critical thinking skills in young people from early elementary school through age 25. Programming is provided for free or on a sliding scale, making the benefits of music accessible to all. Learn more at soundscapes.org.
Federal Funding
March 26, 2023
Where were you when you heard the news? We are beyond excited to announce $677,000 in federal funding, sponsored by Congressman Bobby Scott, to prepare Soundscapes for expansion! We’ll be sharing more information soon!
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.
Citizen Artist Award Presentation – Lance Fox
May 26, 2022
In this video recorded from the audience during the finale of Peninsula Youth Orchestra’s 62nd Season, we see the presentation of Soundscapes’ first-ever Citizen Artist Award to Lance Fox for exemplifying the values of Soundscapes.
Soundscapes Students Giving Free Concert at Ferguson Center
April 19, 2022
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, she is ready for a new challenge. As… Read more »
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You’re about to grow a lot. 🎶Board Chair Nancy Petters has a message for our students as they begin a new school year: Take a moment to appreciate where you are now, because by the end of the year, you may be amazed by how far you've come.New skills. New confidence. New experiences. New possibilities.We can't wait to watch you grow. 💛#Soundscapes #BackToSchool #StudentAdvice #ForwardToTheFuture
Carver families, there’s still time to join Soundscapes! ⏱Have a second- or third-grader who enjoys music? Spaces are still available for new students in Level 1 of our FREE after-school music program at Carver Elementary School!Students can learn music, make friends, and perform together. Instruments are provided! 🎼🎻🎺Returning to Soundscapes? Don’t forget to register, too.Registration for ALL LEVELS is due September 9. New and returning students must complete the registration form.Register today: soundscapes.org/registerQuestions? Contact Heather Kelly at Heather.Kelly@Soundscapeshr.org.Know a Carver family? Share this post so they don’t miss the deadline!
He plays louder and with more confidence. 🎶That's what growth sounds like.Your support helps students have the time, instruction, and resources to find their voice.💛 Support Back to School: Forward to the Future: soundscapes.org/do#soundscapesc#StudentStorieso#forwardtothefutureuture
⛳ Thank you, Alpha Pest Solutions, LLC!We’re grateful to Alpha Pest Control for supporting our Rhythm & Greens Golf Tournament as a Hole Sponsor!Thanks for helping us create more opportunities for young people through music. 🎶💛#Soundscapes #RhythmAndGreens #CommunityPartners
Tee off. Then tune in. 🎶Join us October 15 at Kiln Creek Golf Club & Resort for the Soundscapes Golf Tournament, presented by TMG, Inc.After the round, we'll gather for our reception featuring:🎶 A performance by our Performance Ensemble🏆 Prizes for contest winners and flight winners🥂 Appetizers and plenty of time to celebrateBring your foursome for a day that supports young musicians and ends with some seriously good music.Teams of 4 are $800.👉 Register at soundscapes.org/golf#Soundscapes #GolfForGood #PerformanceEnsemble
