Senior cellist Aedan Foner anticipates getting the opportunity to learn new skills and experience working with world-renowned musicians from the New York Philharmonic.

This Friday, students from the orchestra program will leave for New York.

Foner said after hearing the itinerary for the trip, he is excited to work with the New York Philharmonic musicians in addition to touring the state.

“We are going to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty,” Foner said. “Not only are we doing the touring, but we are also going to have master classes with the New York Philharmonic orchestra.”

Orchestra director Miriam Edgar said the New York Philharmonic consists of an exclusive group of world-renowned musicians and the students are very lucky to be able to learn from them.

“The New York Philharmonic is one of the top 10 orchestras in the entire world,” Edgar said. “It is
really big deal that we got not just one, but two master classes with the New York Philharmonic.”

According to Foner, a master class benefits the entire program and allows students to work on their skills.

“(A master class) is basically just someone who is advanced in music who helps the whole orchestra,” Foner said. “We really learn a lot from the master classes on the trips. I think it makes everyone in orchestra more united.”

Edgar said through these annual trips, the program advances its musical skill and students are able to receive helpful comments on their performances.

“Our growth musically (from the trips) is usually just amazing,” Edgar said. “Having the variety of people seeing and hearing us gives us different feedback so it can help us improve as a whole, not just in similar spots.”

Students and chaperones leave for New York May 27 and return May 30.