New Jersey Youth Symphony to Premiere Boyer's Patriotic Rhapsody in Veterans Day Concert

The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) will present a special concert honoring veterans and armed forces on Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 p.m. at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton. This pre-election Veterans Day event showcases young musicians while paying tribute to those who have served the nation. A highlight will be the New Jersey premiere of Peter Boyer's 'Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue' featuring acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel. This performance is part of the Rhapsody National Initiative, a unique project supporting American orchestras post-pandemic through performances of Boyer's work by at least one orchestra in all 50 states over three years at no cost to participating orchestras.

Jeffrey Biegel, who commissioned Boyer to compose the piece, created the 50 states Rhapsody National Initiative as the first commissioning project not requiring orchestras to pay toward the composer's fee. The NJYS is one of only three youth orchestras participating in this historic initiative. Helen Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of NJYS, emphasized the significance, stating that it is both exciting and historic for young musicians to present the New Jersey premiere with Biegel while continuing their tradition of performing works by American composers to honor those who have served.

The concert program features American favorites including Leonard Bernstein's Candide Overture and music from West Side Story, along with Three Spirituals by African American composer Adolphus Hailstork. Patriotic selections such as 'America the Beautiful' and 'Armed Forces Salute' will round out the performance. Two ensembles from the New Jersey Youth Chorus will join the symphony in presenting patriotic music celebrating the spirit of freedom. This event underscores the importance of music education and its role in fostering community engagement and honoring national heritage.

As part of Wharton Arts, New Jersey's largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center, the NJYS serves nearly 600 students in grades 3-12 through 15 ensembles. The organization's mission focuses on offering accessible, high-quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities. The concert provides a platform for young musicians while serving as a bridge between generations, uniting people through music and paying respect to veterans. It demonstrates how arts education can contribute to civic engagement and cultural appreciation.

Veterans are invited to attend the concert free of charge by using the discount code VETERAN, a gesture emphasizing the event's focus on honoring those who have served. As the concert date approaches, it stands as a reminder of music's power to inspire, unite, and pay tribute to national heroes. The New Jersey Youth Symphony's performance promises to be a memorable celebration of American music and patriotism, showcasing the talent of the next generation while honoring veterans' sacrifices.