Carnegie Hall

Valley Stream Central High School District Music Festival Goes to Carnegie Hall 

For the first time in Valley Stream Central High School District Music Festival history, ensembles had the chance to perform at the internationally renowned Carnegie Hall. In the past, the festival was typically held in the Bert Keller Auditorium at Central High School; however, through the organization of Adam Erdos and our Music Department teachers, the District was able to acquire a spot at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, the festival is traditionally composed of Orchestra, Band, and Chorus ensembles, but this year Central’s performing arts groups joined the festival. As the opportunity to perform at such an acclaimed concert hall arose, many students took to auditioning for the Orchestra, Band, and Chorus ensembles. As a result, the district had one of its biggest groups in years. After auditions, several rehearsals occurred for each ensemble, intended to truly perfect and sharpen each song and performance. After months of hard work, dedication, preparation, “practice, practice, and practice” the performance finally took place this past spring.

Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious concert venues in the United States, let alone the world. According to the official Carnegie Hall website, the venue was founded in 1891 by Carnegie Steel businessman, Andrew Carnegie. Additionally, the venue possesses incredible acoustics thanks to architect and cellist, William Burnet Tuthill. While the Hall was a success with musicians, comedians, authors, and many more notable figures, it deteriorated in the late 1950s. Then, it was slated for demotion, but luckily the City of New York bought the Hall after major protests from musicians, most notably, violinist Issac Stern. In the years after, it was honored with a National Historic Landmark and received many renovations throughout the years. Notable musicians who have graced the stages of Carnegie include Tchaikovsky, George Gershwin, Judy Garland, and The Beatles. Now Valley Stream Central students join that unbelievably distinguished list.  

The orchestra performed four songs. Their first song was Overture to Il Signor Bruschino, originally composed by Gioachino Rossini, and conducted by Tara Zamarano. The Overture was a perfect start to the concert as it begins with a loud start but surprises the audience with quieter notes moments later. After, the orchestra played Mambo from the hit musical, West Side Story. Victoria Alaimo conducted this fast-paced and percussion-heavy piece, a direct contrast to Overture to Il Signor Bruschino. Thirdly, the orchestra played Orion and the Scorpion, composed by Soon Hee Newbold and conducted by North’s very own Mrs. Rebecca Hayden. This is a dramatic and ever-changing piece as it follows the Greek mythology hero, Orion, in his battle with the Scorpion. Finally, the orchestra performed Sing, Sing, Sing, originally performed by Louis Prima and conducted by Elizabeth Klamkin. It may have been the District Orchestra’s first time playing the piece in the halls of Carnegie; however, it was not the first time the piece was played at Carnegie. The song was performed by Benny Goodman at his 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert, so District Orchestra students now share that with the famed jazz musician. Although it was not some students’ first time going to Carnegie Hall, many still had fun performing in the District Orchestra. Plus, the acoustics of the hall are amazing because even after the orchestra stops playing, there is still a beautiful resonance of the sound. Performing in this prestigious music hall increased orchestra students' appreciation for music as it allowed them to truly appreciate the beauty of their instruments.

The District Music Festival Band performed selections including, Washington Post March by John Philip Sousa, Salvation by Robert W. Smith, They Solemnly Served by Rossano Galante, Burn by Roland Barrett, and Pop and Rock Legends: Stevie Wonder by Stevie Wonder. Each piece was conducted by band teachers from all four schools. While taking part in the band, the performers were encapsulated by the sounds of many talented musicians surrounding them. Carnegie Hall itself added to the performance, enhancing the group's music, making it sound heavenly to the ear. The band’s performance began with Washington Post March; as noted in its name, the piece was a march consisting of contrasting dynamics and staccato notes. The tone of the performance transformed as the second piece, Salvation, was performed. Salvation, highlighted with repeated themes and tempo changes, differed from the opening piece of the show, Washington Post March. The third piece, They Solemnly Served, was highlighted with its inspiring, emotional, and powerful tone as it honored the country’s veterans. With its dynamics, solos within the trumpet and flute section, and runs in the high woodwinds, They Solemnly Served created a powerful, yet emotional piece that the audience could experience. Burn, the fourth piece contrasted significantly with the prior pieces performed as it was loud and bold. The piece was composed of runs in the high woodwinds and distinct dynamics such as crescendos and sforzando pianos. The fifth and final piece, Pop, and Rock Legends: Stevie Wonder, was the hit of the night as it consisted of Stevie Wonder’s biggest hits; this included parts of Sir Duke, Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing, Superstition, and Isn’t She Lovely. As the District Music Festival band performed their final piece, players could hear the audience clapping along to the songs and enjoying the piece’s entirety.

Valley Stream Central High School’s Performing Arts Program staged a series of performances incorporating acting, musical theater, and dance into the program. The first group was Ms. Kristin Martine’s Day 2 Dance Concentration performing a dance to the song Pie Jesu, a piece originally composed by famed Broadway Composer Andrew Lloyd Weber. After, the Musical Theater Concentration performed Show People from Curtains. Then, Ms. Kristin Martine’s Day 1 Dance Concentration danced to Waves by Dean Lewis. Additionally, the Musical Theater Concentration performed Why We Tell the Story from the musical, Once On This Island. Afterward, the Acting Concentration executed Seven Ages of Men based on William Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Following the Acting Concentration, Kristin Martine’s Day 1 Dance Concentration danced to No Roots. Subsequently, the Musical Theater Concentration performed A New World from Songs for a New World. Lastly, the Performing Arts Program closed its performance with Ms. Kristin’s Martine’s Day 2 Dance Concentration’s Walking on Sunshine. The variety of Central’s Performing Arts Program gave a different feeling at the festival compared to previous years; however, it was very much welcomed.

The District Music Festival Chorus performed six separate pieces for their portion of the program. They opened with Debra Schneider conducting Hallelujah from Christ on the Mount of Olives, a classical piece originally composed by Ludwig Van Beethoven. This was an excellent opening piece as Hallelujah allowed for all vocal parts to demonstrate their vocal and dynamic range. For their second piece, the chorus performed The Ground, originally composed by Ola Gjeilo, and conducted by South’s Mr. Kyle Hayden. In this piece, the chorus demonstrated their ability to be soft and sensitive whilst building suspense through strategic crescendos. Following The Ground, Central’s Mrs. Amy Neuner conducted The Storm is Passing Over, originally by Charles Albert Tindley, with Matthew Podd on piano. This piece engaged the audience as they clapped along with the chorus. Afterward, the chorus took a different approach to their fourth song as Earth Song, originally composed by Frank Ticheli and conducted by North’s own Mr. Adam Thorn, was their sole acapella piece. This was due to Thorn being the piano accompanist for every song besides The Storm is Passing Over and Earth Song. The acapella nature of the song allowed for solely the sound of the chorus’ voices to reverberate in the auditorium, creating a heavenly feel. Succeeding Earth Song was Route 66, a piece originally composed by Bobby Troup and conducted by Helen Kontoleon. Route 66 allowed for the chorus to get jazzy as the swing melody facilitated a relaxed mood. Finally, the chorus performed Defying Gravity from the famed Broadway Musical, Wicked. Rita DiFano conducted the chorus in their final piece. The exciting and hopeful nature of the showtune left the audience feeling content and amazed.

In addition to the several ensemble and performing arts performances, an annual activity at the District Music Festival is the presentation of scholarships to three selected student musicians from each high school. This year, scholarship recipients were Layla Rutledge, from North High School, Tinatin Narimanidze, from Central High School, and Christian Crawford, from South High School. North Star congratulates these accomplished musicians on these tremendous achievements! 

North High School music teachers were asked to comment on the Carnegie Hall Experience.

“It was an amazing experience for me. Certainly, one of the highest points of my entire career as a teacher and a musician. You can't match the feeling of playing piano and conducting at one of the most prestigious and historically significant concert venues in the world. We shared the same stage as Leonard Bernstein, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and the Beatles. When you're there, that's history that you can almost feel surrounding you. I'm so proud to have performed there with our talented students.” – Mr. Thorn  

“All of the students involved in the Carnegie Hall concert put on an outstanding and memorable performance. From their hard work learning the audition excerpts to spending extra time at rehearsals, to using their musical talents on a world-renowned stage, they have much to be proud of. Our Valley Stream students are masters of their art and acted as true professionals both off and on the stage. I am very proud of all our musicians and hope that this is an experience they will reflect on throughout their lives. Bravo! Brava!” -Mrs. Schneider

“Although there are many words to describe the feeling of being on stage at Carnegie Hall, the one I keep coming back to is: electric. The students, the hall, the audience, the music - all of it contributed to such a high-energy performance.” – Ms. Ansbacher 

We also reached out to North High musicians to comment on their experiences playing at Carnegie Hall.

“I found the concert hall we were playing in to not only sound good but to look great as well! I know it's a minor detail in the grand scheme of things, but I liked how the engravings in the hall looked from the stage. It was also fun watching the rest of the night’s performances from so high up, but I have a fear of heights, so it was a bit nerve-wracking at times!” – Cody Sung, VSN Class of ‘24

“I still can’t believe we played at Carnegie Hall. It’s something that many people wish for, so knowing we got to play there still feels surreal. I mean, I love playing in the North Cafetorium, but the acoustics inside Carnegie Hall are completely different from what I’m used to. It gave me goosebumps just to be on that stage. Oh, actually, the auditorium is beautiful. Like acoustics aside, if you told me to just stand there and look at the design of the auditorium, I could probably stay there for a few hours. Anyways, thank you so much to the North Music Department, they were so dedicated to this experience.” - Elaine Ching, VSN Class of ‘25 

“Although this was not my first time going to Carnegie Hall, as I performed in the hall with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York, I had a lot of fun performing in the orchestra. The acoustics of the hall are amazing because when you stop playing, you can hear the beautiful echo and resonation of the sound. Performing at prestigious music halls increases my appreciation for music and being a part of an ensemble. It was an honor performing at Carnegie as many famous individuals such as Dvořák and Tchaikovsky performed in the exact space that we did. I will never forget this incredible experience and I cannot wait for District next year!” - Manal Layachi, VSN Class of ‘25 

 Of course, this amazing event would not have been possible without the extremely talented and supportive teachers who contributed countless hours of hard work and dedication that led to an unforgettable performance. While all teachers and administrators involved were essential to the success of the event, the North Star editors would like to acknowledge the efforts of the North High School Music Department. Firstly, thank you all for the long hours of practice, preparation, organization, and pedagogy that went into this performance. Secondly, thank you for assuring students’ safety regarding traveling between Carnegie Hall and North High School as well as their safety inside the building. This event would not have been successful without your constant guidance and diligence.  

Sources:  

https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/Press/A-Short-History  

https://www.swingcityradio.com/2020/07/history-of-song-sing-sing-sing.html