Now in its sixth year, the Poetry & Music Project connects student poets and their words with composers to create original music and explore the connections between poetry and music.

The 22/23 Poetry & Music Project Concert will take place at The Benson Theater and via livestream. This event is free and open to the public. This concert will premiere 15 original pieces with words from poems selected from Nebraska students and set to music by professional composers Gabrielle Herbst and J.E. Hernández.

Students were asked to write in connection to the theme for this year’s project, “Finding Your Voice.” Within this larger idea were sub-themes: Joy, Transformation, Creativity, Empathy, and Overcoming Obstacles. All 135 submitted poems will be included in the Poetry & Music Project book which will be distributed to all poets, teachers, concert audience, and available online in May.

22/23 selected poems:

• “Un Corps” by Addison Bryant, Anselmo-Merna Public School
• “I want my voice to be…” by Theodore Bullis, Castle Hill Academy
• “Capturing the essence of your voice” by Maggie Dendinger, Cedar Catholic High School
• “Not all of us live the same” by Claire Gunn, Gretna Middle School
• “You Are Beautiful” by Emma Kaiser, Portal Elementary
• “I’ll Grow” by Aarya Khobare, Millard North Middle School
• “Voice Emotions” by Makayla Klinefelter, St. John the Baptist School
• “I am not Alone” by Lucie Lautenschlager, Palmer Public School
• “Untitled” by MaKenna Love, Norfolk Catholic
• “Burning Stars” by Athiei Majuec, Logan Fontenelle Middle School
• “Joy” by Ava Noecker, Cedar Catholic High School
• “Universe’s End” by Kylie Remm, Douglas West High School
• “Sweet Little Lullabies” by Meyiah Sanchez, Omaha Street School
• “The Land I Call Home” by Ava Stewart, Cedar Catholic High School
• “Love, Heart, Kind” by Kim Valquier, Hayward School