Joyful News Is Always Music To Our Ears
As we move forward, (past the planning, preparation, and canceling of the NBSO annual Young People’s Concert), the winners of the “What Music Means To Me” contest were announced, along with the opportunity for schools to retrieve their students’ awards.
On Friday, May 22, 2020, at 2:00pm, Emery Murry from Smalley School in New Britain, (winner of the 2021 YPC Poster Cover contest) received a very special “BRAVO” from his principal and 7 other very proud educators. A Google Meet was set up by Andrea Foligno, Principal of Smalley School, and attended by Emery’s teachers, his former principal and a New Britain Symphony Orchestra Education Committee member. As each new face appeared on the computer screen, compliments, cheers, and energetic high fives congratulated Emery for his award! Next, Mrs. Foligno held up Emery’s trophy for all to admire. The scenario was positive and heartwarming…sort of a “COVID Concerto, OPUS 19”.
Emery, humbled and overwhelmingly happy was asked to share the inspiration for his artwork entitled “What Music Means To Me”. Emery articulated very confidently that “music is all about feelings”. He explained that he listens to a certain genre depending on what is happening in his life…upbeat music when you are happy, different music when you are sad, with lyrics that help you get through situations.
To everyone who participated in Emery’s “ceremony” that Friday afternoon, THANK YOU for your insight, compassion and commitment to building meaningful memories. And of course…CONGRATULATIONS to Emery, who was able to portray his ideas so beautifully through color and design that flowed harmoniously into the powerful truth that “Music is a Universal Language“.
2023Young People’s Concert “What Music Means To Me” Poster and Essay Contest Winners