SILER CITY, N.C. — More than 90 Jordan-Matthews High School students will have an opportunity to experience world-class music and art this academic year thanks to a grant from the Wren Foundation.
The contribution to JMArts, the Jordan-Matthews Arts Foundation, funds three of six events in this year's Pinnacle of the Arts, a series giving students an opportunity to explore world-class arts regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.
All events — including outstanding seating locations, transportation and a meal — are offered to students entirely free of charge. Most also provide personal interaction with the artists, who answer questions and provide expert perspective illuminating the artistic work students are experiencing.
The Wren Foundation grant makes it possible for more than 30 Jordan-Matthews artists at each event to experience Handel’s “Messiah” performed by the North Carolina Symphony and North Carolina Master Chorale; a daylong, behind-the-scenes exploration of the North Carolina Museum of Art; and music by the world’s premier big band, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Most of the Pinnacle performances include a discussion with performers and other professionals about how the art is interpreted and presented. A discussion with musicians from the North Carolina Symphony after “Messiah” has already been confirmed. After students attended a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony last year, they had a conversation with North Carolina Symphony Musical Director and Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto and Violinist Pablo Sánchez Pazos.
This season’s other three Pinnacle of the Arts events are the Broadway musical “Hamilton” on its North American tour, the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Kotis Street Art Experience. The street art experience, focusing on world-class street art in Greensboro, was designed specially for JM artists by JMArts, Kotis Street Art and professional muralist Jenna Rice, who will lead a hands-on spray-paint workshop after the street-art tour.
“The Wren Foundation has a long history of supporting Jordan-Matthews, both academically and artistically,” said JMArts President Rose Pate. "We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to providing top-tier arts experiences for our students.”
Margaret de St. Aubin, president of the Wren Foundation, said she was impressed with what will be offered this year. “The Wren Foundation is happy to sponsor three events in the Pinnacle of the Arts series,” she said. "The symphony and jazz concerts and the museum tour are all wonderful experiences, which will broaden their horizons and have a positive impact, and I know the students will enjoy them.”
More information about JMArts — including Pinnacle of the Arts, JMArts Scholars and other events throughout the arts season — is available at JMArts.org.
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North Carolina Symphony Violinist Pablo Sánchez Pazos, left, and Musical Director and Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto discuss Beethoven Symphony No. 9 and their careers as classical musicians with Jordan-Matthews High School students as part of last year’s Pinnacle of the Arts series. (Photo by Rose Pate)
Jordan-Matthews High School artists explore the North Carolina Museum of Art as part of last year’s Pinnacle of the Arts series. Behind the Scenes at the North Carolina Museum of Art is a daylong exploration of the permanent collection and special exhibitions — with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how the museum curates, preserves and presents some of the world’s most cherished art. (Photo by Rose Pate)