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From the Classroom to Carnegie: Music Professors Compose and Conduct for Young Musicians
Jennifer Jolley’s “Dune Aurora” Debuts in New York at Carnegie Hall, Conducted by Jason Noble
July 9, 2025
The Music, Multimedia, Theatre & Dance department took center stage at Carnegie Hall on June 27 when associate professor Jason Noble conducted the WorldStrides Middle School Honors Performance series featuring the New York premiere of "Dune Aurora", a composition by Grammy-nominated associate professor and interim chair Jennifer Jolley.
“It was the thrill of a lifetime,” said Noble. “I was so honored to give the New York premiere of my dear colleague and friend Jennifer Jolley's new work to a full house.”
The concert, titled “LIGHTS”, centered on the many forms and meanings of light—from the light that fuels our spirit and energy, to the mysterious or intriguing energies it can evoke, and the bright lights that shine through the power of music. “Dune Aurora” fit perfectly within the theme, drawing inspiration from the natural phenomena of the Northern Lights.
Originally written for Beyond the Note’s ComMission Possible 2025 project, Jolley reflected, “I am proud to have this piece featured in the Honors Performance. The students brought it to life beautifully.”
The performance brought together outstanding middle school musicians from across all 50 U.S. states and abroad. These young performers had just two days to rehearse under Noble’s direction before delivering a polished and emotionally resonant performance.
This marks the second time Noble has conducted Jolley’s music at Carnegie Hall. “Her music is evocative, often minimalist, and atmospheric,” he said. “It doesn’t ‘sound like band music,’ which is one of the reasons I love sharing it with the most talented young musicians around the world.”