Outstanding Byron Middle School students performed at Carnegie Hall

Submitted by Amy Harn
BMS MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Alex Cassens, Kaci McKnight, Grace Voiles, and Mia Vongsiri, students at Byron Middle School; were selected for the 2018 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. They performed at Carnegie Hall in June 2018 with the Honors Junior Choir. Participation in one of the three Honors Ensembles is limited to the talented middle school performers from across North America and selected schools internationally.

The students, under the direction of Amy Harn, auditioned last spring for the Honors Performance Series and were accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording. These students joined other performers from the United States and Canada for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.

According to Nancy Richardson, Program Director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Junior Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We process thousands of nominations annually, selecting on the most talented performers. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once –in-a-lifetime experience that these student musicians never forget”.

Junior Finalists came together for five days during June 2018 in New York City to have the opportunity to learn from Sally Albrecht, work with other Junior Finalists, and get a taste of New York City.

The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school and middle school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall and now, also, the Sydney Opera House. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization.