Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Composer-in-Residence James Lee III is working with OrchKids students Luis and Zion on composing a chamber piece that will be performed by BSO musicians next year! Luis is working on a Latin piece for woodwind quartet with percussion and Zion, who takes inspiration from film scores, is composing a piece for string quartet. James Lee III will have private lessons with Luis and Zion four times leading up to the performance in  May. 

“Luis and Zion are leaders at OrchKids,” says OrchKids Director of Education, Danielle Williams. “We don’t have a composition class at OrchKids, so this is a rare opportunity for students who are already composing and arranging on their own time. Luis and Zion both advocated for themselves with staff and teachers for us to listen to their arrangements, so selecting them for this opportunity was a no brainer.” 

Zion says, “It’s an honor to work with James Lee because he can help me improve with my composition and even arrangement so that I can learn to expand what I was originally doing as a composer." 

“As a composer of color, James Lee is an important role model for our students. It is very important for our students to see composers that look like them. Representation is critical for young people in imagining their future and the high levels they can and should reach for,” says Williams. What an incredible opportunity for these young musicians to learn from an amazing composer and have their music performed by our own BSO musicians!