Opera Omaha selected 13 poems for the 2023-24 Poetry & Music Project. These original poems, written by Nebraska and Iowa students grades K through 12, were set to music by professional composers Sidney Marquez Boquiren and Amber Vistein and will be performed by Opera Omaha artists. Now in its 7th 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 statewide program, run in partnership with the Nebraska Writers Collective, seeks to amplify the voices of youth poets, both urban and rural, across Nebraska and Iowa. Opera Omaha has built a coalition of educators and music professionals in order to further promote the profound effect that artistic endeavors can have in the formative years of young imaginations. Click here for more information, or for free in-person tickets or registration for the live stream. The selected poems include: “A Rainy Day… Time Flies…” by Marty Minor, Lewis and Clark Middle School (Omaha), 7th Grade “Friends” by Sylvia Kastl, Norfolk Catholic (Norfolk), 5th Grade “From Darkness to Light” by Stephany Orellana-Gomez, Benson High School (Omaha), 10th Grade “I Am A Weird Kid” by Thaddeus Horner, Hayward Elementary (Nebraska City,) 3rd Grade “It Is What It Is” by Jackson Rios, Norfolk Catholic Elementary (Norfolk), 3rd Grade “3-1=2” by Keelynn Reese, Titan Hill Intermediate School (Council Bluffs, IA), 5th Grade “Laika” by Ava Larson Gallegos, Brownell Talbot (Omaha), 11th Grade “My Home” by Annabelle Wilson, St. Patrick School (McCook), 6th Grade “Finding My Story” by Emelia Howell, Homeschool (Bennington), 5th Grade “A Tale of Introversion” by Norah Purcell, Central High School (Omaha), 12th Grade “Don’t Grow Up” by Zehla Sobansky, Kiewit Middle School (Omaha), 7th Grade “The Sun” by Evie Nelson, Gretna High School (Gretna), 9th Grade “US” by River Sirek, Sacred Heart Elementary (Norfolk), 3rd Grade
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
