KENNEWICK, Wash. – Students from Kamiakin High School’s choir, band, and drama programs recently achieved a dream by performing at the renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City over spring break.
For many students, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Scott Wagnon, vocal music director, explained the significance of the experience for the students. “But to be on stage in Carnegie Hall is it’s a once in a lifetime. I’ve never been to a place like that. And I know our students haven’t. So to be to see what a real, a real big performance hall. Concert performance hall. That is worth the time, effort, money,” he said.
The journey from the Tri-Cities to New York City required 18 months of planning. The effort paid off as the students got to experience performing in one of the world’s most famous music venues.
Freshman Hallie Lowe expressed her excitement, stating, “You’re just playing a couple years and you’re off to play at the one of the biggest and most popular places in, like, the world.”
For the seniors, performing in New York was a perfect culmination of their high school years. Faith McReynolds, a senior, shared her thoughts: “It was so wonderful because. We got to perform in Carnegie Hall, and there’s so much history behind Carnegie Hall, and I just love that. It was my senior year because it’s like a nice big finish, and it really shows that music takes you places because through this program, I’ve experienced so many cool things, and New York is just it’s still feel surreal.”
The trip was emotional for both students and teachers. “And Mr. Bennett was, like, almost in tears because he was just really proud. And I think that made a lot of us very proud of ourselves to,” added Lowe.
The experience emphasized the importance of providing students with opportunities to grow and achieve. “So that’s that’s what’s most important to me, is to give them these opportunities and make sure that they they know that they’re valued as humans and that they are they can do hard things. They can do awesome, hard things,” said Bennet.
While the highlight of the year is behind them, Kamiakin still has several performances planned for the rest of the school year. Teachers are now focusing on slowing down and enjoying the music.
