DHS Learner, Nathan Harvey, wins Gold at Carnegie Hall
Congratulations to Nathan Harvey, in Grade 8 at DHS, who participated in an international Wind Band Festival competition at Carnegie Hall in New York. Nathan participated in the competition with the KZN Youth Wind Band and the band won a Gold medal!
Nathan plays Euphonium, a valved brass musical instrument of tenor pitch which resembles a small tuba.
The KZN Youth Wind Band were excited to perform in the great Carnegie Hall and gave a stunning performance to win their gold medal.
Well done to Nathan and the KZN Youth Wind Band!
Read all about them on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kznywb/
From: http://publiceyemaritzburg.co.za
” … the band qualified to perform at the festival by submitting a number of proposals to the organizers in the form of videos, audio recordings and written motivations. They then began with rehearsals last year and selected pieces that would not only showcase the talents of the band but would also be well received by an American audience. This saw the band putting in serious hours of practice preparation, master classes and fundraising.
In New York, the band immediately got busy practicing their new commissioned piece Conceit by Andrew Smith. The band went onto achieve the highest score of 86% which qualified them for a gold award, beating six other bands. Russell Scott, conductor of the KZN Youth Wind Band, who was still astounded by their outstanding accomplishment, said it was an experience they would never forget. “It was an incredible experience for everyone involved. Simply performing on that stage in that city was a dream come true for many of our musicians. Conceit, the composition, was something very modern and very new for the band – it pushed us musically and really made us stand out from the other bands. Working with composer Andrew Smith and giving the premier in Carnegie will never be forgotten by the band,” he said. Scott said it was about more than just winning for the band. “We achieved our goal, which was to prove that the KZNYWB could compete on an international stage and even come out on top,” he said.
Pietermaritzburg Pupil and a member of the band Nolwazi Nkwanyana said the experience was incredible. “There were moments in every piece that felt like we were in a completely different universe of illusion and magnificence. What impressed me the most was the level of liveliness and teamwork that was showcased on stage. Everyone gave it their all and that is nothing but the best,” she said.
The band is also planning a big Youth Music Showcase combined with the KZN Youth Choir, and KZN Youth Orchestra in June this year to show off the power of youth music in KZN. In August they will have a youth wind band from Ulm in Germany who they will be pairing with for performances.”
