Three members of the West Vancouver Youth Band are getting an opportunity many musicians dream of their whole lives.
Violinist Christopher He, trombone player Siu Lee and clarinet player Yundi Li - all Grade 12 students at Collingwood School - have been selected to perform at New York City's historic Carnegie Hall.
The young musicians are heading to the Big Apple Feb. 6-10 to participate in the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. The series challenges elite students
from Canada, the U.S. and select international schools to perform at their very best. Students are chosen for the Honors Choir or Honors Instrumental Ensembles through a nomination and selection process. Once in New York, the finalists rehearse under the direction of master conductors in preparation for a performance on Feb. 9 at Carnegie Hall in front of concert-going patrons, family members and invited representatives from collegiate and professional music programs.
Though much of the trip is dedicated to rehearsal, there will also be time for play. Participating students will have time to sightsee, take in a Broadway show and watch a nationally televised morning show.
The Collingwood participants will be back home in time for the West Vancouver Youth Band's major annual fundraising concert on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. at Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver. The 90-piece WVYB Symphonic Band will be playing jazz favourites with guest conducting by local big band legend Dal Richards.
