Clarinetist From Carson High Sent to Carnegie Hall by “Work Ethic”

CARSON CITY, Nev. (775 Times, NV Globe) – Drea Cabral, a student at Carson High School, has been selected to perform as part of the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City on February 4, 2023.

She was chosen from a pool of over 18,000 kids who auditioned.

According to Ms. Cabral, it was her “hard ethic” and devotion to frequent practice that set her apart.

“I was nominated to be part of this musical opportunity because I initially made it into the Nevada All State Band, something that I wasn’t able to do as a freshman,” Cabral said last week. “I really think it was my work ethic and all the time and practice I put in the last few years that set me apart.

The Honors Performance Series brings together some of the world’s most promising young musicians to perform under the baton of master conductors at some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, USA; Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia; Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre in London, England; and the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria.

“It feels really good that my work paid off because I am taking four Advance Placement (AP) classes,” Cabral said. “So going to school, and then having marching band after school…having a couple hours of homework, I only get to start practicing around like 10 p.m. So I just feel bad for my family who has to listen to me squeak out high notes as they are trying to sleep.”

The purpose of the performance series was to recognize excellent student musicians in a once-in-a-lifetime concert. The series is intended to instill fresh confidence, enhance musical ability, and spark new ideas for the future in all student performers that take part.

“I will really need to prepare and learn to play the pieces they plan for us to play because I will be one of only two or four clarinetists in the orchestra,” Cabral continued. “Normally there are four clarinets on each part, but it will just be me on my part, which is somewhat scary.” Ms. Cabral is a First Chair clarinet player in the Carson High School Wind Ensemble.

She is also the Principal Clarinetist for the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as the NZMEA Honor Band and the Nevada All State Band.

When asked what her intentions were once she graduated from Carson High School, she stated that she had considered majoring in Chemistry, with her top institutions of preference being UC Berkley, USC, or MIT.

“Considering the selection process and everything it takes to not only be considered but also accepted, it is a huge honor to have Carson High School represented among so many other prestigious schools across the nation,” Carson High School Band Director Nicolas Jacques said. “The fact that she will be playing in ensembles above and beyond what we offer at Carson High School, gives her an opportunity to extend her skills way beyond what we expect from even some of the top students in high school. It is going to set her up to do some amazing things in college.”

(Carson City School District)

Credits: 2News