Steinbrenner High School’s orchestra class got the opportunity to have an unforgettable experience traveling to New York City from March 26th to March 29th. This trip was not only a chance to explore the city that never sleeps, but also an opportunity for the students to showcase their musical talents at Carnegie Hall where they performed pieces such as Square Dance and Water Reflection. This renowned concert hall in New York City has hosted countless legendary musicians across various genres, including classical, jazz, and pop and is known for its historical significance and performances its hosted. Specific and popular artists like Tchaikovsky, Billie Holiday and The Beatles are icons that once performed there.
This visit was not a regular tradition for Steinbrenner High School. In fact, this was the first time the school’s orchestra had made a journey to New York and performed at Carnegie Hall. “…this was actually the first time Steinbrenner went, hopefully they go again in the future,” said junior Larissa Cadet. It was a unique and special opportunity that the orchestra members will be able to cherish for the rest of their lives. While it isn’t a tradition, the success of this trip will inspire future orchestra classes to pursue similar opportunities. The hope is that this trip becomes a recurring event for the school, allowing future classes to experience what this year’s class accomplished. This trip provided Steinbrenner’s orchestra with an incredible music opportunity that served as a significant milestone for the class.
The chance to play there was a dream come true to many students and the execution of their performances was important. For any musician, performing there is the culmination of years of dedication. The invitation to go there was a recognition of the hard-working students and talent of the orchestra class.
In the months leading up to the trip, all three orchestras- concert, symphonic, and chamber- were busy with rehearsals. Students had to rehearse each week to practice individual skills while also collaborating with one another to perfect their art. “We had combined rehearsals after school on Mondays to practice our music,” said junior Kathryn Breedlove. The commitment of the students played a crucial role in the success of their performance. Conducting their talents in front of an audience was validation of all their long practices.
However, the trip wasn’t just about the performance. It was a time to expose the students to the arts and culture of New York City, a place that is rich in history and a global center for the arts. While performing at the hall was the main experience of this trip, the students also visited some of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. “Our class saw the Statue of Liberty and other touristy places,” said Cadet.
Another exciting aspect of the trip was the opportunity to interact with other musicians. While at the hall, Steinbrenner orchestra students weren’t the only group preforming, and they got the chance to experience other musicians on stage. This allowed students to learn from other student musicians around the country. As one of the performances, students witnessed a middle school choir perform. Seeing young musicians showcase their talent at a historical hall inspired many others and served as a reminder to everyone that they were all brought together because they share the same passion and love for music.
Besides experiencing other performances, there were many standout moments from the trip. “Other than playing on the same stage as a lot of big-name musicians, Chelsea Market is a spot I definitely would want to go back to again,” said Cadet. The market is a vibrant, popular, bustling spot in the city, and it is one of the world’s greatest indoor food markets that contains a collection of restaurants and a shopping mall.
New York City’s food scene is as diverse and vibrant as its population, offering a vast array of food on every corner. One of the most iconic dishes in the city is the New York-style pizza. New York- style pizza is largely known as an extremely large pizza with thin crispy crust topped with tomato sauce, staple mozzarella cheese and variety of toppings.
With many experiences to love, Steinbrenner High School’s orchestra trip to New York was a remarkable journey that allowed the students to showcase their talents, meet new people, and explore one of the most exciting cities in the world. From the preparations leading up to the performances to the fun adventures in New York City, the time spent was worth it for the class. As the first time Steinbrenner had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall, it set a new standard for the school’s music program and for future students to follow. Both students and staff hope this trip will not be the last time Steinbrenner’s orchestra will perform in one of the world’s greatest halls.
