The Valencia High School Concert Band was selected to perform at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City on Sunday, March 17. The Concert Band participated in the Choirs of America’s Harmonic Convergence Concert at Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall, which has set the international standard for musical excellence, is considered one of the most prestigious concert halls in the world.

More than 40 members of the school’s wind ensemble and symphonic band, traveled to New York City to perform at the prestigious concert hall of over 3000 seats, conducted by band director, Mark Judd. Despite busy schedules packed with classes and extracurriculars, the students make time to practice their music. “The students have been preparing and rehearsing for this performance for quite a while. They have all put in many hours of practice after school working towards meeting the high expectations surrounding this amazing opportunity”, says Band Director, Mark Judd. Some of the music performed were Simple Gifts – Four Shaker Songs by Frank Ticheli, Kentucky 1800 by Clare Grundman and
On a Hymnsong of Phillip Bliss by David Holsinger.

Students were excited to grace the stages of Carnegie Hall. After rehearsal, 9th grade flautist, Ellie Lyznick exclaimed, “We just warmed up on the stage and it was amazing!!!” After intense rehearsals and performing earlier in the week in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the students still had some time to experience New York City aka the Big Apple— seeing a Broadway play, taking a cruise around the Statue of Liberty, and walking the streets of Time Square. It’s the first time in New York City for some of them.

An upcoming exciting event for the Valencia High Marching Band & Color Guard is the WGASC competition (Winter Guard Association of Southern California) which will be hosted by Valencia High on Saturday, March 23, 2019. The event begins at 10:00am with awards taking place at 3:30pm. There will be lively performances, food and beverages. All ticket proceeds go towards sustaining the music and color guard program. Visit: http://www.prideofthevikings.com/fundraising/.

About the Valencia High School Band & Color Guard:
The Pride of the Vikings Marching Band and Color Guard is from Santa Clarita, California. The program is known for their success in marching, concert, and jazz band. The Marching Band recently won their sixth consecutive medal out of all division 3A bands in Southern California. The programs have toured Disneyland, Las Vegas, Disney World, San Francisco, and Hawaii.

About the Valencia High School Band & Flag Boosters:
(VHSBFB) is the booster organization supporting the Valencia High School band and color guard programs. VHSBFB is registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the state of California.

All photos courtesy of Terry Collier.