Peekskill Students Visit NY Philharmonic

Over 100 Peekskill students in Grade 5 and Grade 8 recently spent two days at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall where they had the opportunity to enjoy the music of the New York Philharmonic as part of the venue’s Young People’s Concerts for Schools series.

Accompanied by Peekskill’s Performing Art Department Leader Crystal Hernandez, Peekskill Middle School’s Band Director Franklyn Vasquez, and Hillcrest’s Band Director Katie Lester, students watched as one of the most popular symphony orchestras in the world paid homage to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in this year’s concert theme: “Jean Sibelius: Music of a Hero, Music of a Nation.”

Prior to their trip, all music teachers attending the concert were given the opportunity to submit a video demonstrating how their students are heroes. Ms. Lester and Mrs. Hernandez, who had attended a training session earlier in the year for this trip, seized this opportunity to submit a video of Peekskill students performing “26 Stars,” a song Hernandez personally composed with the help of Peekskill students in memory of those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012.

Peekskill students had the honor of having their entire performance video featured at the concert on their first day of attendance, and were included in a compilation of different video clips on the second day.

“The students could not believe that we had secretly submitted this video, and that they were recognized so publicly for their song,” said Hernandez. “This trip was an amazing experience for our students-one that we know they will never forget.”

Hernandez says that she hopes to take even more students to next year’s concert.