“FLYING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE”: This work by John Witherspoon Middle School student Shelly Zhang is featured in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s “BRAVO! Listen Up!” exhibition, on display at the Arts Council of Princeton through June 2. Twenty-five students from seven middle schools make up this season’s “Listen Up!” artists and writers.

Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s “BRAVO! Listen Up!” exhibition featuring middle school student artwork and writing created in response to composer Missy Mazzoli’s Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) is on display at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) through Sunday, June 2.

The students attended a creativity workshop led by ACP instructor Susan Hoenig and the March 23 performance of Mazzoli’s work by the orchestra under the direction of Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov. At the workshop, Hoenig highlighted well-known visual artists who created works in response to music, and guided the students in their artistic reflections. Milanov provided background on Mazzoli and her music, and led the students through a hands-on rhythm exercise. Over the course of several weeks, the students gave form to their own creative ideas in writing and visual art.

Twenty-five students from seven middle schools make up this season’s “Listen Up!” artists and writers:

The Cambridge School: David Samuel, Mia Jundef, and Ellie Lamond; The Hun School of Princeton: Helena Shore and Braeden McConkey; John Witherspoon Middle School: Lucy Kreipke, Tatiana Laks, Keitaku Iwata, Julie Liu, Sophia Song, William Phillips, Shelly Zhang, and Pippi White; Montgomery Upper Middle School: Aiden Blanos, Pujita Kalinadhabhotla, and Eliana Vair; Ranney School: Bella Santulli, Christina Aziz, Madeleine Carpenter, and Crosby Collins; St. Paul School of Princeton: Angelina Piazza, Jacob Trupin, and Vivian Teeley; and Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart: Nana Larbi and Emma Tian.

Now in its 12th year, “Listen Up!” is an art response program which encourages creativity through active listening. To date, it has engaged over 300 students. Online galleries featuring previous years’ student artwork can be accessed via the website at princetonsymphony.org under Education/Responding to Music.

All PSO BRAVO! programs are free to participating students and schools thanks to the support of sponsors who believe in the importance of the arts in education. To learn more about “Listen Up!” or other PSO BRAVO! education programs or to offer support, call (609) 497-0020.

The students’ visual and literary works are on display through June 2 at the Arts Council of Princeton’s Paul Robeson Center, 102 Witherspoon Street, 2nd floor lobby.