Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble at Carnegie Hall

To the entire 2024 Carnegie Hall team: This past Sunday afternoon on 57th Street was one for the ages! Carrying through an ambitious program for the Festival of Orchestras--beautifully executed by all--Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble proved to be in quintessential form! The performance was simply outstanding. In representing our school with such distinction, our aesthetic (blue blazers and red ties) was as crisp and clean as our musical substance (on-point and confident) with the finale, Schifrin's Mission Impossible, providing the exclamation point. This achievement was not by accident or chance; but rather, it was the result of exceptional teaching, detailed planning, great patience, sustained practice, and superb skill.

As shared by our maestro, Director Philip Hough, "This event was a great team effort and huge accomplishment for our boys. They played with passion and finesse in true Saint David's style!...Special thanks to our Chair Jeff Moore for organizing myriad details and to Meg Myette for sustaining the backstage energy that kept the boys fired up, ready to do their best. Jonathan Hadley was indispensable as orchestra librarian and cello coach. John Francis coached his percussion musicians to play with verve and élan. Violin coach Alba Navarro developed fingerings and bowings that worked for all the boys as well as inspiring them with her excellent playing. Long-time Saint David's viola coach, Kerrick Sasaki partnered with our one viola student to create a solid viola core. Our nine alumni musicians learned the music and came together for the occasion, playing with great security, despite most only rehearsing the morning of the concert. It was a special treat to have our dear friend Nick Reeb join us in the concert as well as hosting impromptu jam sessions backstage on the orchestra music, interspersed with the boys crowding around him for math challenges!"

Saint David's music program is rich with talent, commitment, and ambition. We look forward to more orchestra adventures in the spring!

Presented at Carnegie Hall

Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble

Sunday, January 28, 2024 at 2 PM

Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage

Violins

Liam C., Roman D., Theodore G., Friedrich H., Camden M., Vikas S., Konrad T.

Alumni Violins

Nicholas B., Matthew C., Maximilian D., Michael K., Luke P., Charles S., Loukas S.

Viola

William K.

Cellos

Lucas C., Oscar F., Henry K., Alexander M., Christian Y.

Alumni Cellos

Ishaan R., Leo S., Nicolas S.

Percussion

Luis G., Titus L., Rohan R.

Saint David's Faculty and Ensemble Coaches

Jeffrey Moore, Music Department Chair and Piano

Philip Hough, Ensemble Director

John Francis, Percussion

Jonathan Hadley, Cello

Alba Navarro, Violin

Nicholas Reeb, Violin

Kerrick Sasaki, Viola

www.saintdavids.org

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