Greetings! I am Nyasjah Brooks from the Atlanta Music Project. I have been participating in the music program for 8 years. I am currently 15 years-old. I attend Carver Early College and am in the sophomore class of 2020. In March, I was selected to travel to Mexico City, Mexico with the Atlanta Music Project and take part in a workshop hosted by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel and the Vienna Philharmonic. I am going to tell you about my trip.
When I first started playing at 8 years-old, I didn’t think about travelling internationally or playing in an international orchestra. So I was excited to go on this trip with my friends because it gave me an opportunity to travel outside the country and play my instrument with musicians other than the people I play with regularly.
I was expecting a small group of musicians but in reality it was huge orchestra full of kids from Mexico, Venezuela, California, New York, Georgia, and Canada. There was a large group of viola players, which made me happy because AMP only has a few.
My favorite part was the concert. We performed Conga del Fuego Nuevo, Adagio for Strings, Malala (from Alas), and New World Symphony (IV movement). At first I didn’t feel confident about how I would do on concert day. During rehearsal breaks, I would practice difficult sections and soon I gained my confidence. In the end, I enjoyed playing all of the pieces and feel I did a marvelous job at the performance.
I was sad after the concert because everybody was starting to leave. Many of us hugged our stand partners goodbye because we may never see each other again.
It meant a lot to me to attend this trip to Mexico. Playing in Mexico changed my musicianship in a positive way because it showed me what I am capable of doing with my instrument and music. Playing with the orchestra in Mexico me realize that I can do anything I put my mind to. I enjoyed myself, learned new things, met new people, and played my instrument. If we were asked to come back and attend another concert, I would quickly say yes. This was an opportunity I will never forget.