Trenton Arts at Princeton
In 2018–19, Gustavo and his Foundation partnered with Princeton University, Trenton Public Schools, and the Trenton Musicmakers, a local El Sistema-inspired program, to unite two historically separate communities—Trenton, New Jersey, with one of the lowest graduation rates in the country, and Princeton University, a world-renown Ivy League institution—through joint music programs, discussions, and concerts.
Many of the events were curated and led by Gustavo, Princeton University Concerts’ first Artist-in-Residence, and explored four themes: Art & Social Change, Art & Faith, Art & Nature, and Art, Society, & Politics.
Gustavo Dudamel leads a conducting masterclass with Princeton University students. January 2019.
At Princeton, Gustavo and the Foundation organized campus-wide interdisciplinary collaborations with the Department of Music, Center for Human Values, Program in Latin American Studies, Humanities Council, Lewis Center for the Arts, and the Woodrow Wilson School’s Center for Arts and Cultural Policy.
Over a dozen events, many of which were free, were dedicated to music’s capacity to bring people together and serve as a platform for world change. Gustavo moderated panels and discussions, curated recitals and concerts, and led community “chamber jams” with local musicians and members of the Berlin Philharmonic.
Learn more about Gustavo’s Princeton residency.
In Trenton, Gustavo worked with the Trenton Music Makers and students from Trenton Central High School. As a culmination of the project on August 26, 2019, he conducted the Princeton University Orchestra and Glee Club at Richardson Auditorium, with a portion of ticket sales going to establish a new program to bring Trenton students to Princeton University Concerts as well as sending the University’s guest artists to visit students in Trenton. The next day, he brought the Orchestra and Glee Club to Trenton for a free community concert at the historic Patriots Theater at the War Memorial.
Ongoing initiatives will ensure an enduring impact on the Princeton University campus and in the surrounding region; supporting a commitment to music as a force for uniting communities, empowering young people, and promoting positive social change.
The Neighborhood Project
Gustavo Dudamel leads a “seminario” discussion with young people from the Trenton Music Makers, El Sistema NJ Alliance, Play on, Philly!, the Harmony Program, and the Ascenté Chamber Orchestra. April 2019.
Initiated through a five-year Dudamel Foundation grant and launched in 2020, The Neighborhood Project is a collaboration between the Dudamel Foundation and Trenton Arts at Princeton which brings Princeton University Concerts artists to Trenton’s public schools and brings Trenton’s public school students to recitals at Princeton University Concerts.
The grant also supports the Trenton Youth Orchestra (TYO)—now a part of Trenton Arts at Princeton—whose members receive free coaching and private instruction from Princeton University student musicians and faculty. TYO is led by its music director and founder Lou Chen, Princeton faculty fellow Dr. Sunghae Anna Lim, and Trenton teacher partner Joseph Pucciatti.
Gustavo reunited with the students of TYO in January 2020 at David Geffen Hall in New York City. Read more about their visit here.
Trenton Arts at Princeton Music Fellows
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