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Christopher Newport is hosting the first-ever Newport News Public Schools All-City Music Festival at the Ferguson Center for the Arts this Friday, April 12th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The event will give more than 600 NNPS students a remarkable opportunity to perform on a renowned stage and experience the thrill of showcasing their talents to the community.
“These talented young musicians deserve to perform in and be inspired by world-class concert halls that will nurture their passion for music and inspire them to pursue and support the performing arts throughout their lives,” said Dr. Mark U. Reimer, Director of Music at Christopher Newport. “This experience could also spark a passion for music and inspire them to continue their music education at the college level.”
The students will perform under the same lights as a remarkable collection of some of the world’s most acclaimed musical stars: Andrea Bocelli, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, the Temptations, B.B. King, the Celtic Women, Bernadette Peters and many more have graced the spectacular Diamonstein Theatre stage.
In addition to strengthening the bond between Christopher Newport and Newport News Public Schools, Reimer says the festival will reinforce the University's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians while supporting the performing arts.
"The Ferguson Center is an absolute beacon of culture on the Peninsula, and our community is indeed fortunate to have such a University dedicated to enriching the lives of all its citizens and visitors,” said Reimer.
"We are so excited to be partnering with the city and Christopher Newport's Ferguson Center for the Arts to bring our student ensembles together to perform for our community and expand musical knowledge and awareness for all involved," said Katie SheehanSmith, NNPS Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts.
SheehanSmith said every student performing at the festival was recommended by their music teacher, ensuring that only the most dedicated performers were chosen. The ensembles are blended groups from different schools, providing students with a unique collaborative experience to work with fellow student musicians and rehearse with a guest conductor.
"The amount of focus it takes to be a part of an ensemble is immense, and music and arts are just as important as any other subject. We are grateful for the opportunity given to our young musicians to perform at such an elite performance venue as the Ferguson Center," added SheehanSmith.
All performances will include middle and high school bands, choirs, orchestras, guitar ensembles, and elementary choruses. The public is welcome to attend and all performances are free.