South Plainfield’s ‘Young Voices’ Perform at Prudential Center

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ – Music students from Grant School recently performed in what will, for some, be the largest concert of their lives.

On the evening of June 5, close to 100 South Plainfield students in fifth and sixth grade took part in the American Young Voices Concert held at the Prudential Center. Under the direction of Grant School Choral Director and Music Teacher Shannon Maddolin, they joined together with approximately 5,500 other students from second through eighth grade from throughout the New York and New Jersey metro area.

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“Typically, the Prudential Center is reserved for larger events, performers, and famous teams but, for one night, our students took over the stage ... “ Maddolin told TAPinto South Plainfield. “Our students were able to connect and share in something they love with the larger community and show what power there is in numbers to use their voice to share a message, emotions, and true joy.”

To prepare, Grant students rehearsed from January until June during class time as well as after school and at home to perfect the nine different songs/medleys they would need to perform. On concert day, they arrived at the venue in the early afternoon and, following a few hours of rehearsal with fellow music students from throughout the tri-state area, everyone joined together to perform as members of the American Young Voices Choir.

Under the direction of conductor Francisco J. Núñez, they performed Sing From Your Heart, The Moment, and El Manisero/Maqarule along with a Matilda medley, a Nile Rodgers medley, a pop medley from the movie Trolls, and a Bob Marley and Bobby McFerrin mash-up.

Experiences such as the American Young Voices Concert, said Maddolin, are ‘vital to music education’ and put a ‘huge spotlight on the importance of students continuing to explore their whole child, learning and building on their life skills through music.’

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“Music programs offer students the opportunity to learn about communication, expression, formulating opinions and thoughts, working together and independently, problem-solving, patience, practice, discipline, responsibility and so much more,” she said.

While this was the first time Grant School music students participated in the American Young Voices Concert, it was not the first time South Plainfield was represented at the event.

In 2017, while teaching at the middle school, Maddolin’s seventh and eighth graders took part. When she was transferred to Grant the following year, Maddolin hoped to provide the experience to the younger grades after getting settled into her new school but then the pandemic hit. This year, after a four-year hiatus and all COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the American Young Voices returned and Maddolin was ‘determined’ to get her students there.

“Our middle school and high school offer many different performance opportunities, competitions, and outside experiences, so it is nice to find something that Grant School students can do to add to their musical experiences here in South Plainfield,” she said, extending thanks to the chaperones for all their help, including Grant teachers Lizbet Arriola and Luchie Richter, and the close to a dozen parents who ‘joined right in with singing, dancing, and just being present in the moment with the kids.’

“Music brings people together and there is something unique about singing together. This experience created a spark within the kids and within those who attended,” she said. “How many kids get to say ‘I was a part of the largest children’s choir in America and performed to an almost sold-out arena?’”

Moving forward, Maddolin said the concert is something Grant School students will ‘absolutely’ do again. “This is big! Students came into school the next day with such excitement and pride,” she said. “They even told me if we don't go again they would be mad at me. How can I have that?!”

For videos featuring the Grant School students at the American Young Voices Concert performance, including some behind the scenes action, click here .

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