Students at Edna Louise Spear Elementary School and Port Jefferson Middle School have had a unique opportunity to experience world-class musicians close to home at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts.

Through a partnership between music teacher Vanessa Salzman and Paul Newland, outreach coordinator at Stony Brook University, Port Jefferson orchestra students and their families are invited to attend concerts each year at the university. Tickets are provided courtesy of Staller Center Outreach Endowment.

Recent musical treats included Colin Carr, virtuoso cellist and artist-in-residence at Stony Brook. He performed all six Bach cello suites and “Starry Night,” an evening of both classical and jazz selections during which students witnessed improvisation, spontaneity and invention.

“We are so grateful to the foundation and Mr. Newland for this unique opportunity to engage our students with professional musicians and first-rate performances in our neighboring community,” said Salzman.