April 2008

One World Symphony Performs The Rite of Spring with Artworks by Harlem Children's Zone

Artwork created by third graders of the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) Promise Academy I will be featured during the 80-member One World Symphony's performance of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring at Ansche Chesed Synagogue on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.

Conductor Sung Jin Hong will lead One World Symphony in Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring while student artwork inspired by the piece will project across a 15-foot by 22-foot screen. Under the guidance of art teacher Jill-Ashley Hummel Park, more than 80 students of HCZ's Promise Academy created their visual works inspired by painter Wassily Kandinsky and composer Igor Stravinsky.

The Harlem Children's Zone Inc., under the direction of President/CEO Geoffrey Canada, targets a 100-block area of Central Harlem with a wide range of educational and social services.

Now in its seventh full season, New York City's One World Symphony continues its mission to actively engage its audiences through musical innovation, championing living composers, and collaboration with all art forms.

"Third grade students of Harlem Children's Zone (Promise Academy I) created abstract compositions inspired by the painter Wassily Kandinsky. Kandinsky was fascinated by the musical and visible world," explains Jill-Ashley Hummel Park, art teacher at The Promise Academy I. "His paintings were motivated by the imaginative and emotional power of music. The students used mixed media to create 18"x 24" paintings. They focused on using color symbology and rhythmic lines. Their work reflects personal feelings that were inspired by Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. Stravinsky's music is harmonically adventurous and colorful, reflecting the evolution of the season. One World Symphony performs Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring with a slideshow presentation of abstract artwork. Synergizing the two will make for an uplifting and exciting event!"

"My music is best understood by children and animals." – Igor Stravinsky