Live broadcast brings the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to Western New York classrooms

On March 12, students across Western New York will be able to experience a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra "Music For Youth" concert from the comfort of their own classrooms.

An estimated 12,000 students in 34 school districts will watch "The Music Is In You" broadcast live from Kleinhans Music Hall at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday. Students at the Jewish Community Center's pre-K program, at the Erie County Youth Detention Center, and at Aspire Learning Center will also watch this broadcast.

Now in its fourth year, the live broadcast provides an enriching experience for students while helping schools to stretch their field trip dollars. The broadcast is sponsored by BOCES and Time Warner, and available to educational institutions at no cost.

The 2,000-strong Kleinhans audience will consist of students from the Buffalo Public Schools who have been participating in the orchestra's "West Side Connection" program, which combines curriculum provided by the BPO and guest artist visits. This is the fifth year of this successful program. "West Side Connection" is sponsored by Harter Secrest and Emery, the Better Buffalo Fund, and the Buffalo Public Schools. It is a part of the "Music for Youth Series" presented by First Niagara.

"The Music Is In You" will be conducted by BPO associate conductor Matthew Kraemer. Haitian-American composer Daniel Roumain, who draws his influences from Stravinsky and Jimi Hendrix alike, will come to the region to perform his "Woodbox Violin Concerto." Also making the trip to Buffalo for this concert is 16-year-old cellist Lev Mamuya. Mamuya is the 2013 Sphinx Competition winner, a competition designed to encourage excellence among black and Latino string players. He resides in Roxbury, Mass. Winning this prestigious competition has allowed him to perform with many of the top orchestras across the country. He will perform the third movement of Eduard Lalo's Cello Concerto.

The program also includes Antonin Dvorak's "Carnival Overture;" Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" featuring the Buffalo Visual and Performing Arts Academy's jazz choir; and Mason Bates' "Mothership" for electronica and orchestra.

"This broadcast is one of the highlights of our educational program," said Robin Parkinson, BPO education director. "We always include the Sphinx Competition winner so that students have a chance to see one of their peers performing at a high level. We hope that this concert will spark a desire for students of all levels to engage in music, whether as a performer or as a devoted listener."

"First Niagara is proud to present an exceptional musical experience for students attending schools in Buffalo's west side neighborhood," said Elizabeth Gurney, executive director of the First Niagara Foundation. "This celebration of diversity through music resonates with children of all ages. However, we are especially proud to be here with so many young students from our west side neighborhood who might otherwise never have the chance to hear our world class orchestra in this magnificent facility, right here in the heart of their neighborhood."

More than 180,000 people attend BPO concerts each year, including 40,000 youth attending in person and through this broadcast opportunity. Concerts and Common Core-aligned curriculum are available for pre-K-12 students. To learn more, visit education.bpo.org.