MHS Orchestras take on the Big Apple

Ruhi Kaneria | The Chronicle

Mason High School’s Philharmonic, Honors Symphony, and Chamber Orchestras were invited to perform at the National Band & Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall on April 1, 2025. This prestigious opportunity showcases the dedication and musical excellence of the program, marking a milestone for students and teachers. The orchestras traveled to New York City from March 28 to April 2, participating in a series of clinics, cultural experiences, and a performance on one of the world’s most notable stages. Mason Orchestra director Stephanie Jones said this achievement holds great significance: “Every musician knows what Carnegie Hall is,” Jones said. “It is an aspiration for most musicians. I have never performed there myself, so being able to provide this opportunity for my students is incredibly special. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience.” The trip included workshops with Michael Adelson from the New York Philharmonic, an adjudication clinic with festival judges, and attendance at a New York Philharmonic concert. Students also visited cultural landmarks, including the Museum of Modern Art, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They also saw the Broadway musical Six and enjoyed a dinner cruise around the harbor to see the Statue of Liberty. For many students, performing at Carnegie Hall is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Junior Christy Kim, a violist in Chamber Orchestra, said she feels anxious anticipation. “I’m so nervous because it’s Carnegie Hall,” Kim said. “Everyone knows Carnegie Hall — it’s so big and beautiful. Playing there is both an exciting and terrifying feeling.” Junior Marley Feng, a violinist in Honors Symphony, said that this performance is a culmination of all their hard work. “Performing at Carnegie Hall represents a milestone in my life,” Feng said. “It’s like reaching the peak of a mountain — I can look back and see how far I’ve come since I started playing at six years old.” Sophomore MacKhoi Hoang, a Philharmonic Orchestra member, is returning to Carnegie Hall for a second time after performing there in middle school. “I played there in eighth grade, but I don’t remember much,” Hoang said. “Now, I want to fully take in the experience. It’s a reminder of what we can achieve if we put in the effort.” The orchestras have dedicated countless hours to rehearsals, balancing their musical commitments with academics. Kim said she struggled with the challenge of keeping up with her junior-year schedule. “I’m taking hard classes this year, so I try to practice every day while keeping up with homework,” Kim said. “But since we’re going to New York, I feel like I have to put in even more work.” Between ensemble rehearsals and personal practice, Jones said students are logging anywhere from six to 12 hours per week to perfect their performance. “What makes this moment so rewarding is the work these students have put in—not just individually, but as an ensemble,” Jones said. “In an orchestra, there’s no bench, so every player contributes, and that teamwork is what creates something truly special.” While the performance was the highlight, students also looked forward to exploring the city. Many were excited about the museums, shopping, and Broadway shows. “Other than orchestra, we’re going to see The Starry Night, go to musicals and on a dinner cruise,” Kim said. Alongside a tour company and fellow orchestra conductor Brian Frey, Jones has worked to iron out all the logistics — from working with the students on their music and how to transport their instruments and the school district’s required processes, as well as the actual planning of the itinerary once in New York. “It has also been really fun to put together that experience that we will have and to work with the tour company to make sure that we get a really great experience for the students that is well-rounded and educational,” Jones said. “There is a large amount of time it takes to put together something like this and make sure you have dotted all your I’s and crossed all your T’s and it is exciting, but it is a big undertaking.” For the orchestra as a whole, this trip is about more than just music. It is a chance to represent Mason on a national stage and showcase the dedication of a program that has worked tirelessly to achieve this opportunity. “Playing at Carnegie Hall will tell you four words about Mason’s Orchestra: We can do it,” Hoang said.