Subscribe RH Love

French horn player performs at Carnegie Hall

by | Jun 28, 2023 | Education, news

Abi Brown, front right, a rising freshman at Wylie East, was one of three French horn players selected from the U.S. to participate in the 2023 Middle School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall June 14-18. Courtesy of Heather Brown

A rising freshman at Wylie East High School had the musical opportunity of a lifetime, playing at a full Carnegie Hall.

Abi Brown said she went through several application steps, submitted an audio audition and put in several hours of practice for a concert held at the iconic music venue Saturday, June 17, as part of a five-day program hosted by the Honors Performance Series. After submitting all the application materials, Abi found out she would be third chair in the three-person French horn section, which included a solo.

“As a finalist I will be rehearsing and performing with master conductors and will meet like-minded musicians from around the world,” Abi said when she found out she would be making the trip to New York City.

She continued that she knew of only four Texas students to make the band, which was a surprise given the state’s rigorous musical education standards. In total, the orchestra represented students from India and 38 other states.

“There were a lot of people from California and Wisconsin,” Abi said. “The next closest person I knew was from Frisco. I thought it was going to be a lot of Texans.”

To become a finalist for the Carnegie Hall performance, Abi was required to submit an audio recording of audition music, submit written responses to why she was a good fit and her accomplishments as a musician and a letter of recommendation, which was authored by her private lesson instructor.

Abi said she found out about her acceptance in the company of her fellow bandmates at an after-school party.

To read the full story and support your local newspaper subscribe to The Wylie News.

Subscribe RH Love

0 Comments

Subscribe RH Love

Related News

Citizens sound off at council meeting

Citizens sound off at council meeting

McMillen Road was originally slated to be completed in May 2025. Chad Engbrock / The Wylie News  McMillen Road construction delays cause frustration for home, business owners Attendance at last week’s Wylie City Council meeting was higher than usual, largely...

read more
Wylie ISD begins budget planning

Wylie ISD begins budget planning

The routine business of charting the financial direction of Wylie Independent School District is in progress and included a budget presentation at last month’s board of trustees meeting. As Wylie ISD prepares for the 2025-26 fiscal year, administrators are building a...

read more
Early voting begins April 22

Early voting begins April 22

Residents from Collin County cities with upcoming general elections will head to the polls later this month to begin the early voting process to elect city council members and Collin College trustees in contested races.  The first day of early voting is Tuesday,...

read more
EPIC City developers hire defense lawyer

EPIC City developers hire defense lawyer

Houston lawyer Dan Cogdell, who successfully defended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against impeachment charges two years ago, is now defending a proposed Islamic community against an investigation by Paxton. “This project is simply the victim of racial...

read more
Special Charter amendment election May 3

Special Charter amendment election May 3

Voters will decide on 26 amendments to Wylie’s Charter during a special election on Saturday, May 3. The election is in addition to the general election, which will elect council members for Place 1 and Place 3. The city’s home rule charter, adopted in January 1985,...

read more
Candidate for Collin College Place 4

Candidate for Collin College Place 4

Staci Weaver, a private school superintendent, said would like to contribute her skills, experience and dedication to ensuring Collin College continues to be a leader in higher education. The candidate for Place 4 on the Board of Trustees holds a bachelor’s degree in...

read more
Order photos