Students join together at Eastman School of Music String Jam Session

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Students from across Rochester spent the holiday at Eastman School of Music participated in a “String Jam Session”.

The “Young musicians institute” kicks off the annual gateways fall music festival in Rochester. Its a weeklong celebration of black classical artists.

Each year accomplished musicians from around the country gather in Rochester for the event that’s described as a sort of homecoming.

Dozens of young string musicians spent their day off learning various techniques, asking questions and getting hands on training from experienced artists.

The Student Jam Session culminated with tonight’s performance at Kilbourn Hall.

Nearly 40 students performed pieces specifically by black composers–including “Lift Every Voice and Sing” written and composed by brothers James Weldon Johnson and john Rosamond Johnson in 1900.

The rest of the week includes performances by the professional artists and includes a screening of the movie “The Harlem Hell Fighters”. It’s about an all-black World War 1 regiment who brought the sounds of jazz and ragtime to the frontlines of the war.

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