Tonight, 12 students made their way excitedly to Cunningham Park for a symphony orchestra performance by New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO), as part of the Converts in the Parks line up.

NYPO has been raved as one of the Big Five American orchestras, and their performance that evening most certainly lived up to its reputation. The orchestra performed two epic summertime classics, which was both received with ear-deafening applause from the audience.

"The symphony orchestra performance was grand and magnificent. It definitely piqued my interest in classical music." said Harsha, a student from National University of Singapore.

Since its beginnings in 1965, the New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, have become a notable summer experience. Each year, throes of picnickers gather at the parks in New York to appreciate the best classical music under the stars.

For many of the students, the concert was a good respite after a long work day. Not only did they receive a treat to the ears, the chance to have dinner under the stars and mingle with the local community made the night an especially memorable one.

Like many of the attendees of the concert, the students left Cunningham Park with a lifetime symphony orchestra experience like no other.