COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND
LEARNING WITH A FAR CRY

A Far Cry is passionate about music education and works with students to develop their skills in musicianship and entrepreneurship, emphasizing deep listening and critical thinking. A Far Cry fosters relationships with community groups and educational institutions across the country and has developed the following partnerships in the city of Boston:

PROJECT STEP RESIDENCY
A Far Cry is honored to be participating in its sixth year of residency activities at Project STEP, a comprehensive string training program for children from underrepresented communities. The residency includes weekly coaching and mentoring sessions as well as performance demonstrations and masterclasses for the entire Project STEP community. Criers also coach the Project STEP Honors Quartet, who continue to delight AFC audiences with pre-concert performances in Jordan Hall, including this evening!

Tonight’s pre-concert performance features Project STEP violinists Alba Gilabert-Reid and Laura Licata as well as cellist Lorenzo Ye performing the second movement of Dvořák’s “American” Quartet. 

We are pleased to welcome the following students from Project STEP to perform alongside the Criers for select works on tonight’s program: Laura Licata (violin), Nathan Theodore (viola), and Michael Roberson (cello). 

NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY ENTREPRENEURIAL MUSICIANSHIP FELLOWSHIP
Open to string students at the New England Conservatory, this fellowship provides a 360-degree view of A Far Cry, including all aspects of administration, rehearsal, and performance. Fellows rehearse and perform in two subscription concerts with the ensemble, attend group meetings, work directly with AFC’s staff, and participate in musician-run committees. Through this intensive immersion, AFC Fellows are exposed to all aspects of managing and performing in a collaboratively-empowered ensemble.

NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY / A FAR CRY COLLABORATIVE COMPETITION
A Far Cry’s competition through New England Conservatory and its Preparatory Division offers students the opportunity to perform with A Far Cry on select programs each season. The competition seeks to recognize talented young chamber musicians and inspire deeper communication through musicianship. The winners are invited to rehearse and perform as members of the ensemble, experiencing first-hand the sensitivity and discipline necessary to work as part of a self- conducted chamber orchestra.

This year’s winners performing this evening are violinists Noah Berz (NEC Prep), Arun Asthagiri (NEC Conservatory), and Yebin Yoo (NEC Conservatory). 

LONGY SCHOOL OF MUSIC OF BARD COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP
A Far Cry is excited to be in its third year of partnership with the Longy School of Music of Bard College. This season, in addition to two chamber music performances at Longy’s Pickman Hall (Passion and Soul & Sunrise), A Far Cry will provide designated Crier Liaisons who are embedded in student activities during the school year, including but not limited to: classroom presentations, ensemble workshops, and one-on-one coaching. All students and members of the Longy community are also invited to attend exclusive open rehearsals and other extra musical features (such as interviews with artists and composers), and are offered free & discounted tickets to AFC concerts across the season.