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!
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.
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!
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.
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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!
It’s time for Carver’s first concert of the year!Join us Thursday December 9th at 6 p.m. at the Crittenden Middle School Auditorium.Due to limited seating, tickets are required, but free!
Carnegie Hall’s “In Response” Concert Will Premiere Online on April 28 Newport News, VA — A song composed by students at Soundscapes will be featured in Carnegie Hall’s “In Response” Concert on Wednesday, April 28. The song, “See My Friends Again,” reflects the students’ complex emotions about the layered crises our country has faced over… Read more »
🎺 ONE MONTH TO GO! 🎶Imagine sharing the stage with one of the world’s best-known brass ensembles. Now imagine being a young musician getting that opportunity!On November 30, Soundscapes students will join Canadian Brass on stage for part of their performance, making this a concert you won’t want to miss. 🤩Even better? A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit Soundscapes, helping us continue creating opportunities for young musicians to learn, perform, and grow.Come hear the music, cheer on our students, and be part of something special!📅 November 30🎟️ Get your tickets and join us! www.fergusoncenter.org/events/detail/canadian-brass-holiday-show#Soundscapes #CanadianBrass #MusicChangesLives ...
A great ensemble takes more than great musicians. It takes communication, collaboration, and a willingness to listen to one another. Soundscapes Performance Ensemble violinist Yousif shares what happens behind the scenes when students learn to work together toward something bigger than themselves. ...
What does music give you?For Soundscapes Performance Ensemble Coach Mateo Ayala, the answer starts with a classroom in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico.Growing up, Mateo didn't have a music program or instruments at his middle school. A local teacher, Hector Pantojas, helped change that, bringing students and families together to raise money for instruments and transform a neglected classroom into a place where they could make music.That experience stayed with Mateo.Today, he helps create those same moments of possibility for Soundscapes students. He sees students find their confidence, learn to trust one another, and discover that they can do things they once thought they couldn't.And now, Mateo gets to be the supporter he once needed.We sat down with Mateo to talk about his journey, the students he works with, and why music is about so much more than the music.🎥 Watch Mateo#soundscapesy#musicchangeslivess#MusicEducation##youthdevelopmento#behindthescenesB#PerformanceEnsembleormanceEnsemble ...
✨ We’re shining a light on Roberta Lea!On February 20, 2027, we’ll present Roberta Lea with the inaugural Soundscapes Luminary Award at our For the Love of Music Gala.As our first Soundscapes Luminary, Roberta is spending this year connecting with our students through mentorship, performance, and creative collaboration, giving young musicians a glimpse into what’s possible.Plan to join us to honor Roberta for all she has accomplished and all she has done for our community! ...
🏆 Help us honor Christopher Newport University!At our For the Love of Music Gala on February 20, 2027, we will present CNU with our Community Partner Award. For more than 15 years CNU has supported Soundscapes through access to incredible performance opportunities and spaces, mentorship and collaboration from collegiate student musicians, and leadership from university staff.We're grateful for a partnership that helps create opportunities for young musicians to learn, perform, and see what's possible. 🎶💙We can’t wait to celebrate CNU and all that we've accomplished together! ...