Harmonica Orchestra To Perform At Washington Square Park Friday

WEST VILLAGE, NY — Washington Square Park will hum with music Friday, Sept. 21 as 500 harmonica players perform calming cords in the plaza to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

The orchestra is made up of NYU students and public high schoolers from across the five boroughs who have been receiving lessons from NYU Steinhardt's Jazz Studies director, David Schroeder.

A sea of musicians will perform “The Oceans,” which is an original composition by Schroeder, that uses the blowing and drawing of the instruments to simulate a rolling wave.

The university's faculty-in-residence jazz group Combo Nuvo, will also play selections from their album One World Suite, in a concert geared toward sparking a dialogue on climate change and urging audience members to explore artistic solutions to environmental issues, such as using music to bridge language barriers and connecting audiences over climate issues.

Anyone can participate in the 5:30 p.m. concert by following simple sheet music that lists the hole numbers budding harmonica players need to blow or drawn on.

Those planning to join in the orchestra should bring a harmonica in the key of C.

Lead photo of Washington Square Park (Photo courtesy of Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Secondary image of NYU students practicing harmonica for the United Nations' International Day of Peace concert (Photo courtesy of NYU Steinhardt School)