From Handel To Jackson (Michael), A Summer Music Haven Thrills

They played Bach. They played Handel. They played Verdi. But the master who gave 9 ‑year-old violist Jasmine Lewis the biggest thrill was Michael Jackson — and a rendition of ​“Thriller.”

Jasmine joined 65 other New Haven first- through eighth-graders in playing works by all those masters at a concert Wednesday afternoon at John C. Daniels School.

The concert culminated a week of effort by the students in the first-ever summer camp run by not-for-profit Music Haven.

Founded in 2006 by the Haven String Quartet, Music Haven enlists professional musicians to provide free after-school music instruction to New Haven public-schoolers. Some students, like Christopher Burney, 12, have been with the program since the beginning. Jeremiah Morton, who is 10, began attending as a kindergartener. That’s the point, said founder and Executive Director Tina Hadari. ​“It’s a longitudinal program and kids are encouraged to stay.” Each year, the program averages an 86 percent retention rate. Enrollment has tripled since the program’s inception.

This year, interest swelled enough to start a summer camp. The intensive nature of the summer program – students spent nearly seven hours a day with instructors – allowed for significant learning. ​“In the after-school program, we’re constantly on the go,” Hadari said. ​“But it’s more spacious in the summer. We were able to go into more depth.” Instructors were able to spend more one-on-one time with students and form stronger bonds with the young musicians, she added.

In just over a week, Jeremiah Morton learned how to read music. Jasmine Lewis (pictured) saw a ​“big improvement” in her playing, her father Dave Lewis said.

In addition to tackling musical challenges, Music Haven strives to tackle social issues. The program’s founders see music as a vehicle for social change, as way to build community. Parents are encouraged to come to rehearsals and to learn alongside their kids. Through volunteering at soup kitchens, the hospital, and partnering with other New Haven not-for-profits, students are encouraged to use music to become better citizens. Music Haven has taught their children discipline and how to work with others, parents said.

And at least within Music Haven, the program’s community building efforts seem to be working. The auditorium filled with students’ friends and family on Wednesday. When the performance ended, student after student came to say goodbye to Hadari.

Morton and Hadari shared a congratulatory handshake. And as one parent left, Hadari offered a hug. ​“Good to see you!” she said. ​“We’ll talk soon.”

In its seven years of existence, Music Haven has won praise from sources large and small. it won a nomination for a national award. Southern Connecticut State University has welcomed the group to a campus residency. Parents and students applaud its work.

“Music Haven is amazing,” parent Talia Morton said. ​“It’s the best program you could ever offer for low-income families like ours. I wish [the summer program] could have been longer.”

Music Haven will resume once New Haven schools begin in the fall.