Catskill Middle School incoming eighth grade students Karsen Chiminelli and Meeghan Darling were selected for the 2018 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. They performed at Carnegie Hall on June 23, 2018 with the Honors Junior Choir. Participation in one of the three Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest rated middle school performers from across North America and select schools internationally.
Both students auditioned this past fall for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording. Karsen and Meeghan joined other performers from 44 United States, several provinces of Canada, Ilse of Man, Mexico, and Taiwan.
According to Nancy Richardson, Program Director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Junior Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We process thousands of nominations annually, selecting only the most talented performers. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these student musicians never forget.”
Chiminelli and Darling are both members of the Catskill Middle School Chorus, under the direction of Michelle Storrs. They have performed at All-County Festivals with the Greene County Music Educators Association, and also at the NYSSMA Solo Festivals in Kingston.
Junior Finalists came together for five days in New York City to have the opportunity to learn from conductor and composer Sally Albrecht, work with other Junior Finalists, and get a taste of New York City.
The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school and middle school performers on an international level by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. The Honors Performance Series is proudly presented by WorldStrides, the nation’s leading educational travel organization. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org and www.worldstrides.com.
Congratulations to Karsen and Meeghan!