Category: Videos

Program Tour Video

February 25, 2026

Take a behind-the-scenes look at Soundscapes in action. This program tour video, which premiered at our For the Love of Music Gala, shares the heart of our mission through the students, teaching artists, and communities that make our work possible. Experience how music creates connection, confidence, and opportunity every day at Soundscapes.

End of Year Video

December 31, 2025

2025 has been a memorable year filled with extraordinary experiences for our students and firsts for our program! Hear from Executive Director Carol Minter, Co-founder and Program Director Rey Ramirez, and several of our students.

Summer Camp 2025

August 29, 2025

Our students spent camp rehearsing, learning, and growing through music—with the guidance of our amazing teaching artists. Summer camp helps fill the gap over the summer and prepares students to start the new school year ready to dive into our full program. Hear directly from our students and teaching artists about what made this summer unforgettable!

Soundscapes Anthem

May 22, 2025

This new Anthem was written by Soundscapes students and created in partnership with Kid Pan Alley. It was performed as the finale during our May 4th, 2025, concert as part of the Virginia Community Music Festival.

2024 Year in Review

December 23, 2024

Executive Director Carol Minter and Program Director Reynaldo Ramirez share exciting highlights from 2024 in this insightful video. From program successes to new initiatives, they reflect on the achievements of the past year and look ahead to the future, offering a glimpse into the organization’s growth and continued commitment to making a lasting impact.

A Community of Belonging

October 16, 2024

Debuted at the 2024 Soundscapes Gala, this video features parents of Soundscapes’ alumni and current students sharing their experiences with the program.

La Vida

November 28, 2023

La Vida is a PYO student composition reflecting the realities, challenges, and joys of growing up and beginning to face new responsibilities.

The Process: In January of 2023, the Peninsula Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra worked with Soundscapes Creative Content Manager Joe Hamm to collectively compose a piece of music. Students learned to and were guided to build a subject theme, determine an instrumentation, write words, and compose instrumental melodies. These elements were assembled over the course of five weeks for a total of about 6 total hours of instructional time including rehearsal.

Teaching Artist Team:
Joe Hamm
Westley Benson
Suzanne Warner
Rey Ramirez

A collective composition project of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra.

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

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.

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.