In recent years there has been a movement towards educational institutions re-evaluating their role in preparing young musicians for a life in music. Rather than just churning out top-notch players who can play Paganini caprices in their sleep, schools are now placing higher emphasis on cultivating artists who have not only mastered their instruments but are equally comfortable teaching in the classroom, performing in casual club venues like (Le) Poisson Rouge, and taking on administrative responsibilities in creating community-based projects.

The Academy -- a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, is one such institution which has taken the bull by the horns and created a fellowship program to train musicians in becoming an active member of the community at large. Alongside the fellows' performing responsibilities in Ensemble ACJW, each member of the group teaches in a New York City public school and also develops engaging community projects to further their leadership roles in the arts and culture of the city.

In this June 12 show at (Le) Poisson Rouge, Ensemble ACJW performs an adventurous and eclectic program of their own design with works by Oscar Bettison, Béla Bartók and Fréderic Chopin. In addition to their roles as ACJW fellows, Brandon Ridenour (trumpet), Nathan Schram (viola) and Hamilton Berry (cello) show off their arrangement skills in the non-traditional tunes of Thelonious Monk, Vienna Teng, Radiohead and Pink Floyd.

Don't forget to poke around the Q2 Live Concert archive for more exciting live performances at your fingertips. You can access Q2 24/7 through our pop-out audio player or iTunes. (L)PR’s Technical Director is Richie Clarke and this concert was mixed by Noriko Okabe.

Program

Thelonious Monk: Round Midnight
arr. Hamilton Berry and Brandon Ridenour

Oscar Bettison: Breaking and Entering (with Aggravated Assault)

Béla Bartók: Prestissimo from String Quartet No. 4

Fréderic Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp Minor
arr. Brandon Ridenour

Radiohead: Melatonin
arr. Nathan Schram, Brandon Ridenour

Vienna Teng: Pontchartrain
arr. Brandon Ridenour

Pink Floyd: Time
arr. Brandon Ridenour