IRVINE- Waking up for zero period to pick up an instrument and focus on the intricate details of music is about to pay off for Beckman’s Festival Orchestra. On April 7, 2007, in just 22 short days, the group will be in New York City, playing in one of the most prestigious halls in the world, Carnegie Hall.

After submitting an application and a CD recording of the group, Beckman’s 55-member Festival Orchestra was invited to play in the National Invitational Band & Orchestra Festival sponsored by Field Studies International at Carnegie Hall. This is the opportunity that musicians around the globe dream of because Carnegie Hall is renowned for its beauty, phenomenal acoustics and housing the most accomplished musicians throughout history. Field Studies International receives applications for this festival every year from some of the finest groups across the nation and this year 16 groups will be performing in the festival. Beckman’s Festival Orchestra is one of only seven orchestral groups that will be involved and the invitation came only 19 months after the Beckman was dedicated. The group will play Felix Mendelssohn’s "String Sinfonia No. 2 in D," "Andante Festivo," by Jean Sibelius, "Hoedown," by Aaron Copland, "Neue Pizzicato Polka," by Johann Strauss, and the Finale movement of Peter Tchaikovsky’s "String Serenade in C Major."

Beckman’s Principal, Mrs. Adele Heuer commented, “I’m very proud of our orchestra students and this achievement. It’s a testament to the kind of high level school we are working to create at Beckman High School.”

The legendary Carnegie Hall was finished in 1891, with the chief architect William Burnet Tuthill, a cellist and member of the Oratorio Society. Andrew Carnegie contributed 2 million dollars to the endeavor, approximately nine-tenths of the overall cost. Since its opening day, with conductor Peter Tchaikovsky, it has been the subject of rave reviews. According to the official website, one newspaper reported, “Tonight, the most beautiful Music Hall in the world was consecrated to the loveliest of the arts. Possession of such a hall is in itself an incentive for culture.”

Carnegie commented, “It is built to stand for ages, and during these ages it is probable that this hall will intertwine itself with the history of our country.” Time has proved this statement accurate, in that the performances in Carnegie Hall can trace music’s history from its opening to the present. It started with famous conductors such as Tchaikovsky and Gustav Mahler and continued with musicians from Louis Armstrong and Frank Sinatra to The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Now, just three years after the school’s opening, Beckman’s own Festival Orchestra will sit on the stage where music’s greats from the last 116 years have held some of their most famous performances. Carol Tsai stated, “It’s a great achievement that we’re going there. So many people never get to see the hall.” Eugene Miao agreed, saying that he is most excited that Carnegie Hall “has a famous history. If you play one note, it echoes.”

Festival Orchestra has worked diligently in preparation of their performance in Carnegie Hall. The orchestra members were auditioned last year after the invitation was accepted and have been rehearsing ever since. In addition to the zero period rehearsals, Mr. Kollias held two summer rehearsals in anticipation of April 7th. Section coaches Darlene Alfuso (violin), Marcy Hogan (viola), Dr. Karen Linkletter (cello) and Randy Gravett (bass) have also been assisting every other week to help the orchestra members learn complex music. To further guide the orchestra, Dr. Mark Laycock, Director of Orchestras at Wichita State University, will be coming to Beckman on March 23.

Because of the complexity of the music selection, the orchestra members understand the amount of work that is needed to perfect each piece. Anthony Mak commented that Mr. Kollias has “pushed us to play challenging pieces with a lot more musicality.” It is this high level of musicality that is required to play Tchaikovsky’s Finale movement of "String Serenade in C Major". Most orchestra members agree that this is the most difficult piece of the program. When asked what makes it difficult, Senior Carol Tsai remarked, laughing, “Have you seen this piece?” she continues, “It’s the runs, and shaping the phrases; some people are having a lot of trouble with that.”

With time left to prepare decreasing, the orchestra members are feeling the anticipation build. Tiffany Su is one such student. “I think we’re all really excited,” she commented. Before the Carnegie Hall performance, Festival Orchestra will have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience in their Carnegie Hall Send-Off Concert on Wednesday, March 28 at 7pm at the Beckman High School Performing Arts Center. Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the musicianship that Festival Orchestra will take to Carnegie Hall. “I hope everyone comes that I invited so they can see how much we’ve improved,” stated Carina Perez.

This talented group of musicians is a testament to the results of hard work and passion for their art form. Mr. Kollias commented, “The hardest part about getting to Carnegie Hall is actually having students who are capable of playing on that level, and we now have that at Beckman High School. These kids have an extraordinary work ethic and take pride in their work. This is the experience of a lifetime for our students; how many people can say “I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall!”