Walker Musicians: From Cambridge to Carnegie Hall!

It was an exciting week for Walker band and orchestra students with 49 musicians taking the stage at Carnegie Hall in New York and 17 others traveling to perform in England.

The Walker School Concert Band traveled to New York City March 5-8th for a whirlwind trip that began at the American Museum of Natural History and culminated on the iconic Carnegie Hall stage. Students took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, enjoyed Hadestown on Broadway, were serenaded over dinner at Gayles Broadway Rose, explored Times Square and enjoyed a master class workshop with acclaimed conductor Dr. Peter Boonshaft.

Students then took the stage at Carnegie Hall, where they performed “New World Variations” (David Shaffer), “Joy,” from Awakening (Joseph Curiale) and “Joy in All Things” (Brian Balmages). The best part for Walker School Concert Band Conductor Todd Motter? The two-minute standing ovation.

“That in and of itself was the highlight of not only the trip, but probably my entire teaching career,” Motter said. “I’m not going to lie – I teared-up a bit. The performance sparkled!”

This wasn’t the first time Walker students have played at Carnegie Hall – another group of musicians traveled there in 2016 – but there was something special about this performance, Motter said.

“Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious performance halls in the world. To give these young musicians the opportunity to perform on that stage is kind of a ‘pay it forward’ moment for me as an educator,” said Motter. “The history! The culture! I conducted from the very spot where Igor Stravinsky, Leonard Bernstein and Gustavo Dudamel have all conducted. Chills!”

Walker Orchestra students traveled March 2-6th to explore Cambridge, Oxford, London and the University of Chichester, where they attended university classes, collaborated with university students and participated in several performances.

Students visited Cambridge, where Dr. Elliott taught as head of music for visual and performing arts, and played with the baroque orchestra ensemble at the University of Chichester. They even got to try out some 400 year-old baroque bows played by musicians in the 1400s. 

Students also played with a community symphony, performing “Mars, The Bringer of War” and “Jupiter, The Bringer of Jollity” from The Planets (Gustav Holst). They workshopped with two conductors from the University of Chichester and heard a choir sing a piece that was originally composed specifically for the cathedral it was performed in 200 years ago. 

“Seeing our kids open themselves up to this experience and be willing to fully immerse themselves was my favorite part of the trip,” said Walker Orchestra Conductor Dr. Kyna Elliott. “For many of them, it was their first time overseas.”

Elliott, who taught in Cambridge and was invited on the trip as a guest lecturer by the University of Chitchester, wanted her students to experience some of the places that influenced her as a musician. As part of the trip, students took a music education class taught by university students studying to be music teachers. 

“This was the first time these university students had taught a class and our students were completely game for whatever they wanted to do,” said Elliott. “It was very validating for them as teachers. They gained a lot of confidence working with teens and they absolutely loved our kids.”

Both Motter and Elliott agree that traveling with classmates is an important part of the overall Walker experience. 

“We live in a globalized world and being able to work with people of different cultures and backgrounds is invaluable. Allowing yourself to be open to new experiences and new places –having an intercultural experience – that is what students take home with them,” said Elliott. “When you are walking the same streets as legends, it shows you what is possible.”

“Experiential learning is so important, especially in the arts,” said Motter. “It gives deeper meaning to the craft and a better understanding of who we are as a people. Reading and studying about places and things in books is one thing, but that hands-on experience gives a clearer and tangible understanding that cannot be obtained through books or videos or the internet. You have to be there to truly understand.”