New Haven Symphony Orchestra Leads Global Celebration of Rhythm and Percussion at Southern

NEW HAVEN, CT — The New Haven Symphony Orchestra will ignite the stage with Feel the Beat, a rhythm-driven concert led by Music Director Perry So on Sunday, November 23 at 3:00 p.m. at the John C. Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at Southern Connecticut State University. Featuring an electrifying mix of West African drumming, orchestral fireworks, and drumline grooves, this program celebrates the universal heartbeat that connects music across cultures.

The concert will spotlight Derrick Skye’s Between Suns, a powerful West African drum concerto featuring drum soloists Brian Jarawa Gray and Michael Mills. Between Suns illuminates how African rhythms pulse through classical, jazz, and Latin traditions. The energy continues with George Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a jazz-infused journey through the streets of the City of Light, and Silvestre Revueltas’ La noche de los Mayas, a cinematic tour-de-force of Latin percussion which will feature guest performers from the SCSU Percussion Ensemble side-by-side with NHSO’s musicians. Finally, the program will include a show-stopping moment from SCSU’s very own Blue Steel Drumline.

Music Director Perry So says, “Every rhythm on this program—whether from the concert hall, the drum circle, or the marching field—shares a common ancestry. Africa is the heartbeat at the center of the world’s music, and Feel the Beat is about experiencing, listening, and expressing that pulse together.”

This concert is sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University, Frontier, and the New Haven Register.

Tickets and Subscriptions

To purchase tickets, visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 693-1486.

Ticket prices range from $15 - 49. Tickets for youth under 18 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Active military and immediate family receive free admission to all performances. College students are $10.

Meet the Featured Artists

Brian Jarawa Gray is a celebrated master percussionist, educator, and cultural ambassador who has dedicated over 50 years to the art of drumming and the preservation of African musical traditions. A New Haven native, Jarawa began his musical journey as a student at the Educational Center for the Arts and went on to perform with artists including Pheeroan akLaff, Jay Hoggard, Nat Adderley Jr., and Geri Allen. A former member of the Chuck Davis and Kufain Keneke African Dance Companies, he co-founded The Healing Drum Society and leads the Vision Contemporary and Jazz Music Band. Renowned for his mastery of the djembe and his holistic approach to rhythm, Jarawa has taught and performed across the U.S. and West Africa, inspiring generations through his belief in drumming as a force for education, culture, and community healing.

Known for his dynamic performance style and deep knowledge of African diasporic traditions, Michael Mills brings electrifying energy to every stage. As a master drummer and percussionist, composer, songwriter, producer and world music educator, for more than 40 years Mills has utilized the power of sound, rhythmic vibration, color, words, and spiritual energies to touch hearts, minds and lives of many thousands of people from all walks of life. His experience includes blending world beat drum music with many musical genres at many events including ‘Million Mom March’ (over 800,000 people), America Sings 2000 Voice Youth Choir, Stand For Children National Rally’ in Washington D.C., and the 1995 Special Olympic World Games’ hosting more than 450,000 people, held in New Haven, CT.

Hailing from Southern Connecticut State University, the Blue Steel Drumline is a powerhouse of rhythm, precision, and school spirit. The ensemble blends the traditions of marching percussion with cutting-edge contemporary style. Their explosive performances have become a fan favorite at concerts, games, and community events throughout Connecticut. The Drumline is a collaboration between the Music Department, SCSU Athletic Department, and New Haven Public Schools. The group performs at SCSU home football games.

The SCSU Percussion Ensemble showcases the next generation of percussionists, performing music that spans cultures and styles—from classical works to global rhythms. Their collaboration with the NHSO highlights the music department’s commitment to education and community partnership, offering students an unforgettable opportunity to perform alongside professional musicians.

About the New Haven Symphony Orchestra

The fourth-oldest orchestra in America, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s exceptional and accessible performances and education programs reach more than 27,000 audience members and 10,000 students each year. Innovative programming and a dedication to the commission of new works inspires deeper audience engagement and meaningful artistic and educational collaborations. Through the nationally-acclaimed Harmony Fellowship program, as well as numerous award-winning education and community engagement programs, the Symphony strives to be a leader for racial equity in the arts. To learn more about the NHSO, visit NewHavenSymphony.org.

Photos attached of SCSU’s Blue Steel Drumline and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. For additional photos or to request interview or media appearances, please contact Marketing@NewHavenSymphony.org