Carnegie Hall 2018 - Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble

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Performance Details for Carnegie Hall:
  • No Photographs or recordings are allowed at Carnegie Hall.  Management will cancel performance without refund if this policy is violated.  All Chaperones, Parents  and Students must be informed of this policy.
  • Arrival: When an ensemble arrives at the stage door, it should be organized and collected.  Upon entering the building, all performers are expected to be professional.  The staff at Carnegie Hall is not comprised of nurturing academics.  Instead, they consist of one of the finest production teams in the world.  They will have little patience for anything less than professional behavior.
  • Cases will not be allowed in Carnegie Hall.  Performers must arrive with instrument and music only in hand.  Cases should be left at the hotel.
Historical Performances:

Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble recaps their New York City & Carnegie Hall Performance - February 2018

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The Wind Ensemble recently complete an historic trip to perform at legendary Carnegie Hall in New York city as part of the Balwin Wallace invitational band festival.  Our session included two bands from Louisiana and the Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble.  Our first full day in New York included a day of rehearsal and clinics at Westfield High School in New Jersey.  The band had the opportunity to hear a concert by a trio of principal brass players from the Cleveland Symphony followed by an ensemble clinic led by Interlochen Wind Ensemble conductor, Matt Schlomer and Baldwin Wallace Conservatory conductor, Brenden Caldwell.  This was followed up by sectionals for all members of our band.   That evening we attended the Broadway Show, "Aladin" and were met afterwards by the assistant pit orchestra conductor of "Aladin", who happened to be an SPHS alum.  He was joined by several members of the cast who answered questions by the students after the show. 

The next day was our performance at Carnegie.  The hall is absolutely amazing and unlike anything I have ever heard before in my life.  The student received two standing ovations, one at the end of their performance of David Maslanka's, "Angel of Mercy" and one at the conclusion of their entire, 30 minute performance.  This was followed up by a 15 minute workshop with composer, Frank Ticheli.  I also came to find out after the performance that I had conducted the band from Leonard Bernstein's podium!

Later that day, the band enjoyed a delicious meal at Carmine's and attended an evening performance at Carnegie Hall.  

Our final day in New York included a tour of Lincoln Center where we saw a rehearsal of the New York Philharmonic in Geffen Hall and a dress rehearsal of an opera at the Metropolitan Opera.  After the Met library to view and exhibit of the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein's birth.  

We had lunch at the Time Warner building and the visited Jazz at Lincoln where members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center education staff came down to announce that the Sun Prairie Jazz Ensemble was selected as a national finalist for the "Essentially Ellington" festival.  That makes 12 time overall and 6 years in a row!

We can all be proud of the good work our students are doing and I thank you for all you do to support your child in music!​

Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble invited to play Carnegie Hall in 2018

The Sun Prairie High School Wind Ensemble received a prestigious invitation to perform an the historical and internationally recognized Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory Wind Ensemble Invitational Monday, February 12, 2018 9:30 AM Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.  The invitation includes performances in conjunction with other great bands from the United States and composer Frank Ticheli.  

Learn more about their journey of preparation and performance on this website.  

Learn about Carnegie Hall's History:
 Sun Prairie Bands
“Move beyond the notes to cultivate a life long passion and drive for creativity, curiosity, and community through a vision of students as accomplished learners and evolving musicians in pursuit of artistry”