HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES WIND SYMPHONY PERFORMS AT CARNEGIE HALL

The premier of Antonín Dvorák’s monumental “New World Symphony,” the jazzy bounce of George Gershwin’s spirited “Rhapsody in Blue,” the harmonica-driven opening notes of The Beatles’ “Love Me Do” — Carnegie Hall has been a showcase for the world’s best music. On March 28, the Winthrop Wind Symphony joined a prestigious list of acts that have performed at the famed New York City music venue.

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The once-in-a-lifetime moment of the March 28 performance was not lost on the group’s 47 members. Junior instrumental music major Tyler Holliday noted that it was a tremendous honor to perform on the same stage as some of the world’s most renowned musicians.

“We were able to perform on the same stage as other great artists, performers and composers such as Tchaikovsky, Leonard Bernstein, Yo-Yo Ma and Billie Holliday, all of whom have had such important influences on our musical culture,” said Holliday. “This experience taught me that the Wind Symphony is a family. It taught me to love the true art form of music, and it taught me to embrace uniqueness and creativity. I couldn’t ask for a better experience.”

“Carnegie Hall is one of the greatest performing halls in the world, and groups cannot simply ‘walk in off the street’

to perform.” Lorrie Crochet Director of Bands

The gravity of the March 28 concert hit senior music education major Lori Lynne Hurst during the sound check. “The first notes we played in Carnegie Hall were so pure and resonant that it almost brought me to tears. It is something that I will never forget.”

The World Projects Corporation chose the Wind Symphony as its Featured Showcase Ensemble for the New York Sounds of Spring International Music Festival after requesting recordings of past Wind Symphony performances. After reviewing the recordings, the corporation’s CEO extended the invitation to perform a 45-minute program for select high school students from around the world and the general public.

“Carnegie Hall is one of the greatest performing halls in the world, and groups cannot simply ‘walk in off the street’ to perform,” said Lorrie Crochet, director of bands. “Performances are vetted to ensure Carnegie Hall’s legacy of high performance quality. This performance provided the Wind Symphony students with a once- in-a-lifetime experience to showcase their high-level artistry. I am quite proud of the music-making and commitment the students displayed.”

The Wind Symphony traveled by bus to New York City. On the way, students performed at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina, and Riverside High School in Leesburg, Virginia. These stops brought attention to the Carnegie Hall concert and assisted the Department of Music in recruiting the finest high school musicians to study at Winthrop.

To help fund a trip of this size, an anonymous donor and longtime Winthrop supporter matched all gifts dollar for dollar—up to $25,000—that were made in support of the symphony’s trip. Students were able to visit Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and take in a performance of “La Traviata” at The Metropolitan Opera.

Riley Pagett, a senior instrumental music major, appreciated the support from so many Winthrop contributors. “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and the university, we had time to explore the city and each develop our own appreciation for what makes it so vibrant,” he said. “The most memorable experience for me was watching the faces of my fellow students as some of them saw the city for the first time.”

The Winthrop Wind Symphony takes the stage in preparation for the March 28 performance at Carnegie Hall. Photo credit: Group Photos, Inc.

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