By Geraldine Lopez, Miami Music Project

Through Miami Music Project’s newly named El Sistema inspired program, ESMIA (meaning “it’s mine” in Spanish), young musicians have seen their own orchestras grow and new chapters emerge, like the one in Little Haiti. But none of them have ever imagined sharing a stage with over 300 voices in Miami Music Project’s largest production yet: Harmony, a concert as part of the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Family Fest which celebrates children, youth and the power of music to bring freedom, hope and harmony to the world. November 3rd, will mark the fourth time that young musicians of Miami Music Project participate in the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Family Fest, delighting audiences with enchanting performances of pieces by Haydn, Bizet, and Holst, to name a few. This time, MMP’s ESMIA Youth Orchestra will open with a thrilling interpretation of Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, and will then be joined on stage by ESMIA Children’s Orchestra & Choir and the Miami Choral Academy for a breathtaking performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

What should not be at a loss to the audience during the Harmony concert is the perfect display of collaboration among arts organizations. Miami Music Project and the Miami Choral Academy, both recipients of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge, offer free after-school programs that blend music education and academics with a goal of improving children’s social environments. In addition to Miami Music Project’s collaboration with Miami Choral Academy, MMP also counts in the support of the New World Symphony through their new partnership. In tandem with MMP Teaching Artists, New World Symphony Fellows volunteered to coach the 100-member ESMIA Youth Orchestra, Fellows join in their respective by instruments, to prepare for an inspiring concert.

With the common values of excellence in music education, Harmony is an ideal theme for the Miami Choral Academy and New World Symphony to join with Miami Music Project to showcase the benefits of social programs. Audiences can witness harmony in action on the Adrienne Arsht Center stage this weekend and be sure that more creative collaborations of this kind will follow!

Family Fest: Miami Music Project/Harmony with ESMIA Youth Orchestra: Saturday, Nov 3 at 1:30pm; John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center: 1300 Biscyane Blvd, Miami; Free