POBJFKHS Orchestra Students Get a ‘Master Class’ in Music

Orchestra students at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) kicked off 2026 with a special three-day educational residency led by internationally renowned composer and conductor Soon Hee Newbold, giving student-musicians a unique opportunity to learn directly from a leading modern artist.

A 2024 inductee into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, Ms. Newbold is celebrated for compositions that blend classical and contemporary elements. Her works are performed on global stages, including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center, and she is a sought-after clinician and conductor for ensembles across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Throughout the residency at the POBJFKHS, Soon Hee Newbold worked closely with the school's orchestra ensembles, sharing her expertise in performance technique, composition, and musical storytelling. This hands-on collaboration provided students with a rare opportunity to learn from and create alongside a world-class artist in their own school.

For more information about the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, please visit the District’s website at www.pobschools.org. Exciting activities happening throughout the District and programs celebrating student achievement can also be found on the District’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pobschools/.