Briarcliff High School Musicians Perform with Elite Honors Band at Carnegie Hall

Matthew Bombassei, Gregory Goldberg and Edwin Zhou, students at Briarcliff High School performed at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, February 9th with the 2014 High School Honors Performance Band. Participation in one of the three Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest rated high school performers from across North America and select schools internationally. Matthew, Gregory and Edwin are members of the Briarcliff High School Concert Band under the direction of Ms. Delia Montenegro. The students auditioned this fall 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. The Briarcliff High School students joined other performers from the United States, Canada, and select international schools for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. According to Morgan Smith, Program Director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We process thousands of nominations annually, selecting only the most talented performers applying on an international level. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these student musicians never forget.” Finalists came together for five days in February 2014 in New York City to have the opportunity to learn from Conductor Craig Kirchhoff, work with other Finalists, and get a taste of New York City. The Sunday, February 9th performance was open to the public and invited representatives from collegiate music programs. 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.