Berkley High School Band Performs in New York City

Nearly 100 students from the Berkley High School Band program, 20 chaperones and Band Director Alan Posner traveled to New York City April 17-21 to perform on the deck of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum and to participate in an ETI Music Clinic at Carroll Studios.

Students also attended a performance by the New York Philharmonic featuring solo violinist Joshua Bell at Lincoln Center, and caught the Broadway show Spiderman: Turn off the Dark.

Sightseeing included a walk through Central Park ending at Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon; a visit to the Top of the Rock for a bird’s eye view of the city; a harbor boat tour, and a visit to the National September 11 Memorial.

“The trip was a chance for the band to perform as well as experience performances by elite musicians,” says Posner, who used Celly mobile technology to keep everyone on schedule via text messages. “The students were absolutely amazing during the trip.  I received many comments from our tour director and bus drivers about how respectful and well behaved our Berkley Band students were.”

Although rain was forecast for the performance on the Intrepid, there was nothing but blue sky for the afternoon. Posner surprised the band with a special appearance from his cousin, BHS 2004 valedictorian Justin Wedes, a Brooklyn resident who played piano with the jazz ensemble on Autumn Leaves.

“The trip was a great experience. I really think this trip is something our students will remember for the rest of their lives. I am so glad that our seniors were able to experience this fantastic experience before leaving Berkley.”