Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a concert your whole family will remember. Join conductor Herb Smith and the RPO at Hochstein Performance Hall for a powerful afternoon of music, narration, and storytelling that brings Dr. King’s legacy of hope, courage, and unity to life.

This special program features inspiring works alongside performances by Strings For Success and the School of the Arts Choir—highlighting young voices and musicians as they share messages of light, justice, and possibility.

Arrive early at 1 PM for free, family-friendly pre-concert crafts, including a World Diversity coloring page, hand bouquet creations, and a “rainbow of your dreams” activity—perfect for curious minds and creative hands.

Make this MLK Day meaningful, memorable, and musical.

What is Strings For Success?

Strings for Success is a free, inclusive, and innovative instrumental strings program under the direction of Dr. Patty Yarmel and Ms. Hannah Garfield. Strings for Success is a partnership between The Center For Youth and the Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School #19 in the Rochester City School District and is open to all students in grades 3-6. This program is offered during the school day so that all interested students can participate. Strings for Success began in 2008 with the vision that all children should have the opportunity to benefit from the life-changing power of learning a musical instrument. Strings for Success started with 16 students, 2 volunteer violin teachers, and donated instruments. Over a decade later, the program has grown rapidly and now serves over 120 School 19 students annually.

Strings for Success students participate in ensembles, performances, field trips, and learning opportunities with visiting artists from Rochester and beyond. Strings for Success students have performed with professional, college and community orchestras, at festivals, and in various museums and concert halls. Students have performed at historical sites such as the Capital (for a Congressional Briefing on the Arts), the 9/11 Memorial, and the JFK Presidential Museum and Library. Strings for Success was also selected to perform in the 2024 NYSSMA conference as well as the 2o25 NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Hartford, CT.

4th graders
Devoshia Adams, Gabriella Bonilla-Wright, Ian Frisch, Ka’mara Hudson, Christa McFayden, President Preston, Miriam Teta, Briangelis Vazquez-Rodriquez, Semaj Warren

5th graders
Adrian Arch, Pranesha Magar, Loyal Petty-Goodwin, Giovanni Virella, Kameron Wright

6th graders
Moses Bineza, Jaycollinwood Dunn, Khloe Feature, Mekhai Griffin, Malon Johnson, Cah’Voy Morris, Torrian Seaton, Michael Smith, Taybian Wells

Teachers
Dr. Patty Yarmel, Founder & Co-Director; Hannah Garfield, Co-Director, John Gabriele, Douglas Rodriguez, Matthew Owens, Christopher Brewley

School of the Arts Concert Choir

The School of the Arts Concert Choir, led by Mr. Jimmy Hartmann, is the premier vocal ensemble of Rochester’s 7–12 public arts school, comprised of dedicated vocal majors committed to excellence. The choir recently earned a Gold rating at the prestigious WorldStrides New York City Festival, received an invitation to the elite Festival of Gold, and was honored with the Spirit Award. Beyond competition, the ensemble is active throughout the community, with featured soloists performing at local events, galas, and ceremonies. The choir is also a regular guest at Rochester City Hall and the Monroe County Office Building, proudly representing the talent and artistry of Rochester’s young performers.

Skylar Bashnick, Blessing Brown, Justin Brown, Jenieke Chambers, Alahna Conley, Elijah Cruz-Santiago, Destiny Dalmau-Gonzalez, Bri Franklin, Joseph Gregoire, Promysse Hagood, Barabbas Hall, Lois Halsey, Sophia Hargrave, Cori’onna Hatchett, Maia Holder, Charizma Jean, Enisa Jimenez, Amir Johnson, Evangeline Litonjua, Anaeliz Martin-Rosario, Lailani Parson, Zakiyah Phelps, Michael Rakovan, Sophia Reiss, Joshua Rosario, Nat Rosato, Aniah Smith, Kadence Smith, Etienne Tremblay, Linnivette Vega, Alexander Villegas, Abigail Weeks

LISTEN