Harmony Project Hudson

Last Thursday afternoon, there was a concert in the beautifully restored auditorium of the Hudson Opera House featuring singers and string players, all of whom were primary school students.

The concert was the end-of-year performance of the more than fifty children who have been part of Harmony Project Hudson, a partnership of the Hudson City School District, Bard College Office of Civic Engagement, and founder, Josh Aronson, in association with Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood and the Hudson Opera House.

The mission of the Harmony Project is threefold:

• to promote the healthy growth and development of children through the study, practice, and performance of music;
• to build healthier communities by investing in the positive development of children through music;
• to develop children as musical ambassadors of peace, hope, and understanding among people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs.

Harmony Project Hudson involves the youngest HCSD students. Children in Kindergarten through Grade Two are engaged in vocal music lessons and performances; first and second graders are learning to play the violin and cello.

HCSD superintendent Maria Suttmeier told Gossips: "The music that came from our youngest students was quite remarkable. We are so fortunate to have people like Mr. Aronson taking a sincere interest in our students."

Harmony Project Hudson has a summer program which begins in July. Of the summer program, Aronson says, "Once again we will bring a month of music, movement, lyric writing, and creative juice to all of our kids."

To learn more about the program, visit the website: harmonyprojecthudson.org.

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