CHS Band Student Selected to perform at Carnegie Hall

Isabella Holcomb, a student at Collierville High School, has been selected for the 2019 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. She will perform Clarinet with the Honors Performance Series: Honor Band at Carnegie Hall in February and was also chosen to perform at the Sydney Opera House in July. Participation in one of the five Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world. 

Isabella auditioned for the Honors Performance Series in December of 2018 and was accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group results directly from the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in her application and audition recording. Isabella will join performers from 46 United States, the District Of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, several provinces of Canada, Australia, Bermuda, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, and South Korea for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. 

According to Morgan Smith, Program Director Carnegie Hall, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 700 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Nancy Richardson, Program Director Sydney Opera House, stated the same, but only 300 students of 18000 were selected for performing at the Sydney Opera House. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House is an once-in-a-lifetime experience these musicians never forget”. 

Isabella has studied music for 4 1/2 years and is a member of Collierville High Schools Pride of Collierville marching band, Wind Ensemble, WTSBOA All West (multiple years), WTSBOA All State, Memphis Area Honor band, and has achieved numerous solo and ensemble awards. She is an honors academy and BETA club member at Collierville High School. In response to Isabella’s selection as a Finalist, Isabella said, “I auditioned later than everyone else, and I only had a couple of days to get my audition ready. I worked hard, and I practiced significantly. I am proud of myself and completely excited to work with so many talented instrumentalists from across the globe. I am looking forward to meeting the directors. I am grateful for the opportunity and the immeasurable knowledge I will gain. I am ecstatic about performing at Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. Finally, many thanks to my band directors Mr. Barnes and Mr. Richardson, my band peers, clarinet
instructor, and my parents.”

Carnegie Hall Finalists will come together in New York City for five days in February and Sydney Opera House Finalist will come together for six days in the end of July-early August. They will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other Finalists, and get a taste of New York City and Sydney. Two performances, an Honors Choral Performance and an Honors Instrumental Performance, will take place Sunday, February 10, and are open to the public. Tickets can be purchased beginning 60 days prior to the performance through the Carnegie Hall box office. Per Sydney, the Honors Performance will take place Sunday, August 4, and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased through the Sydney Opera House box office beginning 60 days prior to the concert. 
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The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org and www.worldstrides.com.

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