Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) is a place of history and new history emerged during the first annual NBOE High School Vocal Jubilee which premiered in the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall on June 7th. The Office of Visual and Performing Arts has done it again by activating a new district-wide all city event during a pandemic. The new offering garnered support from students, music educators and administrators from across the district who endeavored to ensure rehearsal time with students at their location, attendance during collaborative virtual rehearsals, in-person rehearsal at NSH, and finally concert day. Over eighty students from ten high schools participated.
The concert opened to the full ensemble singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by J. Rosamond Johnson as arranged by Roland Carter. All students participated as members of the full ensemble, and as a member of one of three small ensembles which included an A Cappella Ensemble, Bass Ensemble, and Treble Ensemble. One student shared, “It was a new experience for me, and I enjoyed it,” while several cited that “meeting new people” was a highlight for them, and another said, “I got to do something I've never done before and experienced a feeling I never had before.” Music educators were equally excited and many shared, “I feel that I am a part of a team working to improve music education in Newark.” Another advantage for students during the in-person rehearsal day included participation in one music workshop of their choosing. Workshops included, Preparing for College Music, Choral Conducting, Musical Theatre Vocal Technique, and Student Leadership in the Choral Classroom. Planning is already underway for next year’s concert with recommendations for the repertoire as students and music educators create a new artistic legacy in the City of Newark.