Junior Picked to Sing at Carnegie HallPhoto and Story by Robin IrvingIn October 2021, Carlsbad Early College High School Choir member, Nathan Williamson, received the confirmation email he had been waiting thirteen months to get. “At first, I didn’t believe it,’ Nathan said, ‘but then a wave of tension lifted because I had been waiting a year to hear anything.”In September 2020, at the beginning of his sophomore year at Early College, Nathan submitted a recorded audition of his performance of an Italian art song to compete for a spot in the 2021 Carnegie Hall Honor Choir in New York City, part of the Honors Performance Series. Due to changing restrictions of the pandemic and safety measures within the venue and the organization, results of the competition were delayed multiple times as auditioners waited. Finalists were accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board and notified at the end of October 2021. “I was surprised I made it,” smiled Nathan. “Looking back at my audition from a year ago,I feel that I’ve grown so much since then.” Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in his application and audition recording.“After having performances worldwide impacted for over a year,we are excited to be returning to the stage at Carnegie Hall. Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing,” said Marion Gomez, Program Director for the Honors Performance Series. “We processed nearly 10,000 nominations this year and have selected over 500 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicianswill never forget.” The son of Ryan and Priscilla Williamson, Nathan, currently a Junior at CECHS, is no stranger to the performance stage. His mother remembers, “Nathan has really been singing ever since he could talk. His first performance was with ourchurch youth program when he was 4.” Nathan has received many honors and awards in music ever since, most notably this Fall semester at school. In addition to his Carnegie Hall honor this Fall, Nathan medaled with both his solo and his ensemble at ENMU’s Solo and Ensemble Festival, performed as a featured soloist in the Rio Grande NATS Workshop for educators, auditioned and won a seat in the New Mexico All-State Choir for the second consecutive year, and was named to the 2022 NAfME All-Nationals Honor Choir after a rigorous audition process.As for the Carnegie Hall Honor Choir, participation in one of the five choral or instrumental Honor Ensembles in the Honors Performance Series is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world. Nathan will join talented musicians from 47 states, Australia, Bermuda, China, Guam, and South Korea for a special performance at the world-famousCarnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. The selected students will come together in New York City for five days in February 2022 to rehearse prepared choral works and learn from master conductor, Dr. Jeffery Ames. Two performances, an Honors Instrumental Performance and Honors Choral Performance, will take place Saturday, February5 and Sunday, February 6, 2022, respectively, and are open to the public. Tickets can be purchased beginning 60 days prior to the performance through the Carnegie Hall box office.
Fundraising for Nathan’s trip is ongoing and donations are greatly appreciated. These can be sent to Nathan, care of Carlsbad Early College High School, or arranged through CECHS Choir Director, Mrs. Robin Irving. (robin.irving@carlsbadschools.net)
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