New Jersey Symphony Presents Amateurs and Students for #FluteYou Classes

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra invites amateur and student flutists to #FluteYou-an immersive day of rehearsals, classes and a performance led by NJSO Principal Flute Bart Feller and NJSO Second Flute/Piccolo Kathleen Nester-on Saturday, April 29, in Newark. An NJSO Accent event, #FluteYou precedes the Orchestra's 8 pm concert, which features Piston's The Incredible Flutist with Feller playing the solo line, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

At #FluteYou, flute players of all levels will rehearse in a flute choir and a masterclass with Feller. Participants can take a piccolo class with Nester, a specialist on the instrument, or a bodywork session learning to relax the body to achieve an improved sound.

#FluteYou players will cap their daylong experience by giving a Prelude Performance in the NJPAC lobby before the NJSO's 8 pm performance of Dvo?ák's Eighth Symphony. NJSO concert attendees can watch the #FluteYou Prelude Performance unfold from one of the NJPAC lobby's many vantage points and can share their photos and comments on social media.

#FluteYou was inspired by the success of last season's similar experience for amateur cellists. #CelloYou participant Lori Smith praised the experience: "Being a lawyer, I have very little practice time, but I have wanted to play the cello since I was about 10. My teacher told me about #CelloYou, and [the fact that it was open] 'for all levels' was very encouraging. I was very glad I had the nerve to volunteer for the masterclass. [NJSO Principal Cello Jonathan Spitz] gave me some really good hints, and I felt it was extremely valuable ... It's great to hear really good players close up and to feel what goes into their playing. It was really terrific."

Dana Valencia, the mother of a 12-year-old participant, said #CelloYou would be "a huge jump forward for Kevin's playing and love of music in general. Being around musicians who all play [the same] instrument, he [could learn] not only from the coaches but also from the other [#CelloYou participants]-it's a really nice mix [of adults and students]."

Repertoire for #FluteYou includes flute-choir transcriptions of "How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place" from Brahms' Requiem, Boismortier's Concerto and a to-be-announced 20th-century work.

#FluteYou is $130 for adults and $65 for students; the cost includes one concert ticket for the April 29 NJSO performance. Participants will receive a 20% discount on additional tickets for the evening's performance.

Advance registration is required. Flutists can register at www.njsymphony.org/fluteyou.

Registrants will receive a link to a brief level-assessment survey and can indicate their interest in playing for the masterclass. Participants will receive sheet music by email in advance.

#FluteYou follows this season's #OrchestraYou post-concert pro-am session, held on February 24 at NJPAC. In its fourth year, #OrchestraYou saw its largest-ever number of both amateur and NJSO participants; the 88-member ensemble included 25 NJSO musicians.

For a #CelloYou recap and performance video, visit www.njsymphony.org/news/detail/cellists-of-all-ages-enjoy-celloyou-experience.

APRIL 29 NJSO PERFORMANCE: 'DVO?ÁK'S CHEERFUL EIGHTH SYMPHONY'

Under the baton of guest conductor David Danzmayr, the NJSO performs Dvo?ák's Eighth Symphony, Piston's The Incredible Flutist and Prokofiev's Second Violin Concerto with returning guest violinist Stefan Jackiw.

Program and ticketing information is available at www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/dvoraks-cheerful-eighth-symphony.

NJSO ACCENTS

Inspired by the concerts and designed to inspire audiences, NJSO Accents are pre- or post-concert events that complement the concert experience and provide audience members with more opportunities to personally connect with the music and music makers. Learn more at www.njsymphony.org/accents.

The Prudential Foundation generously sponsors NJSO Accents in Newark.

NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Named "a vital, artistically significant musical organization" by The Wall Street Journal, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra embodies that vitality through its statewide presence and critically acclaimed performances, education partnerships and unparalleled access to music and the Orchestra's superb musicians.

The NJSO welcomes new Music Director Xian Zhang in the 2016-17 season. The Orchestra presents classical, pops and family programs, as well as outdoor summer concerts and special events. Embracing its legacy as a statewide orchestra, the NJSO is the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark and regularly performs at the State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick, Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown and bergenPAC in Englewood. Partnerships with New Jersey arts organizations, universities and civic organizations remain a key element of the Orchestra's statewide identity.

In addition to its lauded artistic programming, the NJSO presents a suite of education and community engagement programs that promote meaningful, lifelong engagement with live music. Programs include school-time Concerts for Young People performances, NJSO Youth Orchestras family of student ensembles and El Sistema-inspired NJSO CHAMPS (Character, Achievement and Music Project). NJSO musicians annually perform original chamber music programs at nearly 200 community events in a variety of settings through the NJSO's REACH (Resources for Education and Community Harmony) program. The Orchestra's ECE programs annually serve more than 60,000 New Jerseyans in nearly 21 counties.

For more information about the NJSO, visit www.njsymphony.org or email information@njsymphony.org. Tickets are available for purchase by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476) or on the Orchestra's website.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra's programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, along with many other foundations, corporations and individual donors.

PRESS CONTACT

Victoria McCabe, NJSO Senior Manager of Public Relations & Communications | 973.735.1715 | vmccabe@njsymphony.org

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