Newtown High School Music Students Perform At Carnegie Hall

By Susan Coney

Newtown High School music students were granted a rare opportunity this spring — the chance to perform at Carnegie Hall.

The NHS Wind Ensemble, directed by Kurt Eckhardt, NHS Select Choir, directed by John Harned and NHS Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Michelle Hiscavich, performed in America’s Youth In Concerts Ninth Annual Invitational High School Music Festival, which took place on Wednesday, March 23.

Newtown High School was one of five schools from the northeast region invited to play at the renowned hall. The purpose of the festival was to reflect on the musical achievements of America’s youth.

Michelle Hiscavich, director of music for Newtown Schools, commented about the Carnegie Hall performance by saying, “It was about enjoying everyone’s love of music and sharing it with each other. It was wonderful to just sit back and enjoy making music.” She went on to say that it gave the students the opportunity to see what other schools were doing in the music field, without the pressure of a competition.

Upon returning from the performance students were asked to write about the experience.

Karoline Engel, a choir student, said, “When I entered Carnegie Hall, I was amazed by the beauty of the architecture and evident history of performance within the walls. While standing on the stage, I initially experienced the usual butterflies — but as I looked out into the audience, the faces became shadows and I became wrapped up in the moment.”

Fellow choral student Erik Bagger wrote, “Performing in Carnegie Hall is unlike performing anywhere else. The acoustics are amazing. It was so nice not to sing in a big, booming echoing space for once. Here, the sound has control.”

Symphony Orchestra student, Jenna Van Waalwijk wrote, “The sound was amazing and also the audience could see and hear everything. While we watched other performances, I was in awe of how good everyone sounded. All the groups appeared to be flawless and as I was warming up I thought about this. Ms Hiscavich said that when you get out there you can’t fear anything and you’ve just got to give it all you got and play like you know how. This is exactly how I thought, and I mentally prepared for the performance beforehand.”

The 155-member symphony, wind ensemble, and choir students that participated in the Carnegie Hall performance represent only a portion of the students from Newtown High School who are active in music. Approximately one third of the student body is involved in some type of music program. Next year a new course, music technology, will be offered at the high school level. It already exists at Reed Intermediate and Newtown Middle School. Music technology deals with computer-generated music, and will be made available to all students.

Ms Hiscavich stressed, “We want to get all the kids out there, kids that don’t play right now can get involved. Any type of student who is computer savvy, or likes to compose, kids who have garage bands, this new class will include them and give them exposure to music. Our goal is to offer a course to prepare students to pursue their career of choice.”3