As someone who grew up with an intergenerational hometown orchestra, it was a special delight to read about the NJIO.
In a nutshell, a group of volunteer musicians comprise the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, with ages ranging from well under ten to over eighty. All share a love of music & a desire to share that love with others - fellow musicians & appreciative audiences. I love that it is as much about the experiences they share together, across the ages, as it is about their performances!
About those performances... The NJIO draws its musicians from four counties in norther New Jersey, as well as some from Manhattan (an NJ "suburb"). Concert venues have included Lincoln Center, the United Nations, in front of the United States Capitol, at the Kennedy Center. Within their home state, the NJIO has delighted audiences at Trenton's War Memorial, the Kesller Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, and the Turtleback Zoo, to name just a few, as well as being featured on the 2005 film, The Open Road: America Looks at Aging.
Go, NJIO, go! I love & share your belief - understanding - that older people bring wisdom needed so dearly by youngers, including - especially - the very young, and that they, in turn, need the fresh outlook & unthinking energy of youngers - especially the very young - to refresh recharge renew their own. Drawing together all ages within an orchestra's embrace nurtures growth on every level, promotes better understanding & connections, and creates unimagined benefits for the individual musicians, the orchestra, and the audiences who get to hear their combined gifts.
New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra - BRAVO!
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