The performance is a feat for this formation of young talents, which plays in the big leagues.

At the 65th American music industry awards ceremony, they will be in the running for the award for "best orchestral performance" in classical music, notably against the prestigious philharmonic ensembles of Los Angeles or Berlin.

"It's just incredible", "surreal", still relishes cellist Noelia Carrasco, 19.

When the news broke, "I had to read it twice, because I didn't really take it in the first time," adds the music student at New York University.

During the pandemic, which had transformed the megalopolis of the American East into a ghost town in 2020, the orchestra was faced with the cancellation of its performances at the famous Carnegie Hall.

Its leader, Michael Repper then decided to organize a recording session for his students, in order to keep track of their work.

Due to health restrictions, recording could only be done in small groups, each of the young artists playing their score with witness tracks in the headphones, before the different parts were synchronized.

Conductor Michael Repper conducts the "New York Youth Symphony" during a rehearsal on January 15, 2023 in New York © ANGELA WEISS / AFP

An atypical but "fantastic" experience for Repper.

"I'm very proud that we managed to find a way to make this recording despite the pandemic," he says.

Unit

In the wake of the death of George Floyd, in May 2020, and waves of demonstrations in the United States against racism and police violence, the 32-year-old conductor had chosen pieces by black composers.

The album thus compiles the works of the pioneer Florence Price (1887-1953), or the contemporaries Valerie Coleman and Jessie Montgomery.

For Michael Repper, it was important to highlight "works that address systemic racism, from the point of view of black women in particular".

The young musicians of the New York Youth Symphony, who are competing for a Grammy Awards, in full rehearsal on January 15, 2023 in New York © ANGELA WEISS / AFP

As a person from a minority background, this choice "really strengthened my connection with the repertoire", explains Jessica Jeon, now 14.

"I always grew up listening only to Mozart, Bach, Beethoven...all white men," she says.

"And I think I never really grew up knowing a composer of color."

For 19-year-old violist Phoebe Ro, Valerie Coleman's track "Umoja: Anthem of Unity" held special meaning.

“To be able to come together, especially during the period of isolation, to play and shine a light on the message of unity, it was really a very big honor,” she explains.

The young musicians will not be able to attend the ceremony on Sunday in Los Angeles - the places are reserved for the conductors - but they plan an evening to follow the show.

For Michael Repper, this is the first nomination, in a category which includes his "idols", the legendary composer and conductor John Williams, known for his many soundtracks, from Star Wars to Indiana Jones, where the Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel.

The "New York Youth Symphony" in full rehearsal on January 15, 2023 in New York © ANGELA WEISS / AFP

"I'm more than honored to even be on the same list as them. And to be on it with the New York Youth Symphony, which has really been something special in my life for the past six years, it's wonderful".

© 2023 AFP