Amador Valley High School’s Wind Ensemble students are now familiar with the following old 1950’s joke, often attributed to comedian Jack Benny: “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!”
And that’s exactly what these 94 student musicians have been doing with extra practices before school, three-hour practices on the weekends and individual practice sessions at home. They will reap the reward April 8, when they perform on Carnegie Hall’s venerated stage. Recently, I interrupted their practice to talk about the upcoming trip and the lessons they’ve learned from the band program.
“Carnegie Hall found us, and that’s very cool,” said Wendy McCullough, a senior flute player, referring to the fact that an invitation was extended to Band Director Jonathan Grantham after concert scouts heard them perform on a Youtube video. Along with Amador, the Rancho Bernardo High School band and the University of Mississippi Concert Singers were selected; each group will perform five musical selections.
Austin Naylor, a junior who plays the French horn, explained that one of the most powerful pieces they will perform is called “Testament.”
“This composition, inspired by the events of 9/11, deals with the victory of good over evil, peace over chaos,” he said.
The ensemble will also perform “City Trees,” which was inspired by the composer’s move to New York City and captures the challenges of relocating. In addition to the performance, the students will receive a master class from the conductor of Columbia College.
“Band has given me a lot of opportunities to perform in different places,” said tuba player and sophomore Joseph Nazareno. Although he has family in New York, he has never toured the city.
Since the students will stay in a hotel directly across from Carnegie Hall, they are in a prime sightseeing location. As a group, the students will visit the city’s Museum of Modern Art, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Broadway to see a play. Naylor is particularly excited about Broadway.
“I’m an actor interested in musical theater, so this is a great opportunity,” he said. “Amador’s band program has allowed me to grow as a performer and a person,” said Naylor. “It’s taught me life lessons about how to define goals and be responsible for them.”
Sophomore tuba player Duhita Gondhaleker said she and her friend have planned a detailed itinerary for their free time in New York City.
“Band has provided me with opportunities to try different jobs and work with other people,” she said.
It has been a banner year for the Wind Ensemble. Not only were they selected to perform in Carnegie Hall but after a competitive audition, they also performed at the state music educators conference last month.
“It’s a prestigious opportunity in the music education community,” said Grantham. I’m proud to say it was our third time playing at the conference.”
For Grantham and all these students, this trip is the chance of a lifetime.
“This is my first time performing at Carnegie Hall, and I am excited to share this opportunity with my students,” said Grantham. “I can’t even fully predict how to feel about the whole thing, but I know it will be special.”