New Rochelle Student Musicians Play Avery Fisher Hall

Seven music groups from performed at the prestigious Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center Wednesday.

The concert, which benefits the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence, occurs every four years.

Susan Weisman, the fund's executive director, said her organization spends a long time preparing for the concert and raising money to cover the approximate $75,000 cost.

"But it's a beautiful way to enrich the lives of the music students," she said, "and it benefits and enriches the New Rochelle community."

Weisman said some of the students start preparing for their eventual New York City debut in elementary school.

"It's quite something to be on the same stage as some of the masters," she said.

Performing were the Huguenot Orchestra, Choraleers, Concert Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band and Chorale

Olivia Wedlaw, 16, is a sophomore at New Rochelle High School. She played second violin in both orchestras Wednesday.

What was going through her mind as she got on the big stage for the first time?

"Probably that it is a huge blessing," Wedlaw said. "It's a huge deal in my family to do something like this."

Marc Schneider, the district's supervisor of music and art, said the concert is one chance in four years to perform in New York City.

"This is the crowning moment for the children who are performing," he said.

Sophomore Gretel Poggioli, 15, played in both orchestras Wednesday.

When she first started rehearsing in the hall, she said the sound was "magnificent.

"It's very intimidating at first being in such a big room," Poggioli said.

She thought her turn to perform at the big concert would never really happen.

"Now that it's here, it's very exciting," Poggioli said.

Orchestra Director Frederick Ostrofsky said the groups did a lot of drilling to get prepared for Avery Fisher Hall.

"It was a lot of practice," he said, "so that they will feel comfortable and don't get so nervous. It's all about preparation."

His advice to the students was simple: When they get on stage in front of the audience, "take a look out and then don't look again."

Cellist Exia Burns, 15, is a sophomore and played in the Symphonic Orchestra.

She said they left New Rochelle at 12:30 p.m. and rehearsed as soon as they got to the city. A highlight of the trip was dinner at Dallas BBQ.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Burns said. "It's a big deal. I never would have thought I'd be here."

David Mills of New Rochelle clutched a bouquet of red roses as he greeted friends in the hall's lobby.

He and the rest of his family were there to support his daughter Courtney Mills, 14.

The ninth grader sings alto in the Choraleers.

Mills said the experience has been a nerveracking experience for his daughter. She didn't get much sleep Tuesday night and kept fussing with her hair.

"She texted me (Wednesday afternoon)," he said. " 'Dad, I'm a little nervous.'

"We are very, very proud of her," he said. "We hope it's the beginning of maybe a career for her."

Donald and Khaleelah Brown of New Rochelle were there to hear their daughter Briyah Brown, 16, play in the first violin section of the Huguenot Orchestra.

Khaleelah Brown said her daughter was nervous about the performance, so they took it easy getting ready for the concert.

"We just laughed and joked," she said.

Donald Brown said his daughter is also on the track team and is a member of the Honor Society.

"This is a great opportunity for her," he said. "We are very, very proud of her."

New Rochelle-born Craig Carton acted as the master of ceremonies for the evening, injecting humor and anecdotes of his stint in the New Rochelle public school system.

Carton, who graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1987, hosts the WFAN morning show with Boomer Esiason.

New Rochelle High School Principal Donald Conetta presented four student achievement awards Wednesday.

They were Charles Prioleau, Arts and Culture Award; Leah Goldman, David A. Garfinkel Citizenship Award; Amira Privott-Yeiser, Eric Tutera Sports Leadership Award, and Shannon McCullough, Technology Award.

Do you have pictures or video from the concert? Upload it, please.