A select group of high school musicians perform with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, for a concert gala at David Geffen Hall in New York, April 24, 2024. (James Estrin/The New York Times)

A select group of high school musicians perform with the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, for a concert gala at David Geffen Hall in New York, April 24, 2024. A 95-member youth ensemble nominated by schools and arts programs spent six days preparing for concerts led by he next music director of the New York Philharmonic, superstar maestro Gustavo Dudamel, who has vowed to expand the Philharmonic's presence in schools and in the community when he takes over in 2026. (James Estrin/The New York Times)