Virtual School Performance

To book your school group reservation, please contact Linda Beard at (973) 382-1035 or education@sopacnow.org.

Bold. Dramatic. Unruly. Visionary.

The LUX Orchestra Initiative is an explosion of light and sound engaging students with the world’s most dramatic and revolutionary symphonic music in a radical way. The initiative’s goal is to inspire the next generation of musicians and audiences by introducing students to classical music through a very exciting experience – one that will leave a lasting impression and stimulate intellectual curiosity and growth.

LUX is an innovative orchestra with both emerging professionals and internationally recognized musicians who create an immersive performance aesthetic that changes the way audiences think about and experience symphonic concerts. Through merging high energy performances, light shows and synchronized projections, LUX offers an unparalleled artistic experience.

Virtual Presentation Style

On-Demand, 5 individual video sessions = approximately 40 minutes each

Video #1: The Overture & Instruments of the Orchestra
Video #2: The Symphony
Video #3: The Ballet
Video #4: The Opera
Video #5: Film Music
Video #6: Full Concert

The LUX Orchestra Initiative Background

In 2016, with a new vision for classical music, conductor and composer Brent Chancellor formed LUX Orchestra as a professional opportunity for the next generation of orchestral musicians and also as an immersive performance aesthetic specifically aimed at inspiring the youngest of new audiences. The LUX Orchestra Initiative came together through the collaboration of LUX, SOPAC and the South Orange/Maplewood School District (SOMSD) with support from Montclair State University’s Cali School of Music.

Three inaugural school performances held at SOPAC in 2018 served over 850 students. At these performances, each child used a glow-stick as a baton and was taught what to listen for when hearing specific movements within works by master composers such as Beethoven and Dvorak. The initiative has continued to develop year after year with feedback from school teachers and other partners that now also include Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute through its longest-running music education program, Link Up.

The current LUX Orchestra Initiative is presented in five interactive sections to introduce elementary school students to the orchestra by making them a part of it. Content, performance style and student interaction is tailored by age group to ensure the best and most appropriate experience for all audience members.

In addition to continued programmatic development, The LUX Orchestra Initiative expands its reach year after year to new communities through the participation of schools beyond South Orange and Maplewood. Currently, there are up to 10 school districts participating each year. From 2020-2022, while in-person school performances were not possible, a virtual LUX Orchestra Initiative was produced and distributed to educators.