Watching bowing technique from just a few feet away, noting how musicians use eye contact and head motions to communicate with each other, listening to a world-class performance in their classroom … these are just some of experiences that John Jay’s seventh, eighth and high school orchestras had this week during in-school visits with the award-winning Poiesis Quartet!
The enrichment was arranged for by orchestra teacher Elissa Leventhal in coordination with Caramoor, where the quartet is the 2025 – 26 Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence.
"The Poiesis Quartet provided invaluable feedback for my students to improve their playing and deepen their understanding of the ensemble experience," said Leventhal. "Thank you to these professionals for the wisdom they imparted in group rehearsals and sectional at the high school level, and to Caramoor for providing this opportunity for my students to benefit from professional coaching. What a wonderful experience for students and professionals alike!"
The Poiesis Quartet began their time with John Jay’s seventh grade orchestra by performing “Pisachi,” a work by Jerod Tate which draws from Hopi and Pueblo Indian music. It inspired a student-led conversation ranging from bowing techniques to ways of building crescendos.
The students also performed for the Poiesis Quartet, gaining feedback focused on intensity, unity and emotional impact.
“What emotion do you want people to feel? Think about how you can capture that feeling.”
“In this piece, the bass and cello provide the foundation. They make the energy more secure.”
“Be aware of what other people are playing so you can make space for them.”
The students responded to the musicians' insights and, even on the second playing, everyone heard a shift in sound.
“That was a lot more unified. I felt like the parts were holding hands.”
"Oohh. That was good!”
“I want to play it!”