The Experience of a Lifetime: Windham High School Concert Band Invited to Perform at Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall is considered the world’s most prestigious place to perform. Luciano Pavarotti, Yo-Yo Ma, Leonard Bernstein, the Beatles, and Louis Armstrong among countless others of the world’s greatest musicians have graced the stage at Carnegie Hall. Now the Windham High School Concert Band prepares to add their name to the list and continue the prevailing tradition of excellence in that historic New York City concert hall.  

In the past four years of Windham High School’s operation, the Concert Band has made enormous strides virtually unknown to the music world. In April 2012 they made their debut in New York at the World Strides Heritage Festival, performing at Riverside Church and placing as the top group in the festival, receiving numerous awards. In March 2013 they entered the next level, performing at the World Strides Heritage Festival of Gold in Chicago at Orchestra Hall, also receiving the highest score and being selected from their division to play in the encore concert. 

In April 2014, the band will yet again raise the bar, performing in the National Band and Orchestra Invitational Music Festival at Carnegie Hall. This festival highlights the best ensembles nation-wide, each ensemble sending in a recording that is evaluated by a panel of adjudicators. “Every ensemble is put on the same playing field where their applications and audition recordings are the only pieces that are evaluated,” explained Band Director Jared Cassedy. “There were hundreds and hundreds of tapes sent in from around the nation. From there, all the groups that scored a 95 or higher got put into a pool…. Over 400 groups got a 95 or higher. And then, from there, they whittle it down to the top ten or fifteen.” The Windham High School Concert Band received a score of 98.7, placing among the top fifteen orchestras and concert bands in the nation.

The students in the Concert Band are overjoyed to see the results of their hard work. Sophomore Kaley Missert said that, after Mr. Cassedy told the band that they were accepted to the Festival at Carnegie Hall, “I just freaked out! I was like ‘Oh my gosh I can’t believe we’re going to Carnegie Hall!’ And I started tearing up. It was so emotional.” Similarly, senior Joseph Zannoni says it feels wonderful to be able to share the excitement with fellow musicians with whom he has become so close. “We’re like a family,” he said.

  “To have an ensemble represent not only the school but the state and the region is overwhelming…This is a dream come true for the ensemble and for myself as a music educator,” said Mr. Cassedy. His goal is to make it possible for every Concert Band student to attend this prestigious festival and once in a lifetime experience. The Windham Musical Arts Association will be organizing fundraisers throughout the year to help defer costs. They ask that you will help support them at events like the upcoming mattress fundraiser and at the Craft Fair. There will be more information as these events approach.

When addressing his band, Mr. Cassedy commented that their acceptance into the Festival at Carnegie Hall “is a testimony to your dedication and support for making our program the absolute best it can be.” Year after year, the incredible passion and devotion displayed by these young musicians and their director has exceeded expectation. There is perhaps no greater testimony to this hard work than the opportunity to stand alongside great musicians of the past and future at Carnegie Hall.