Dublin High Band Sets Its Eyes on Carnegie Hall

band instructor made his first appearance at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan at the age of 16. Thirty years later, Everts will appear on one of the nation’s premier musical stages again, this time leading the Dublin High School concert band in its first performance in New York. 

The Carnegie dream became reality months ago when Everts gave World Projects Corp., a company based in Benicia, two music samples to serve as Dublin High’s application. 

“We had never really counted on this, it just happened. I drove up to Benicia and hand-delivered the music to them,” said Everts. “A few weeks later we received a letter saying we had been accepted.“

Dublin High School will represent the Tri-Valley and Bay Area as one of six American high schools chosen to perform in the 2012 New York International Music Festival. A few colleges and a number of international groups also will be featured.

Performing at Carnegie Hall and visiting New York City for the first time may be the students' most memorable high school experience.

It's going to be sophomore trumpeter and flutist Brooke Brunckhorst's first trip to the East Coast, and she said she understands the work she and the band will need to make before their appearance. Brunckhorst said summer band camp has been essential for preparation.

“You get to meet so many new people and get to do what you love to do, which is play music," she said. "This will be the second field show we’ve done and we’ve learned so much more from last year. I’m already figuring out several jobs that I might be able to take to pay for the trip.”

This will be senior John Hur's third time in New York, but this trip will be special, he said

“This trip means a lot to me because not only am I with my family, but my cousin and a few of my students from Korea said they’re going to be coming to Carnegie Hall to watch us.” 

There's a sentimental component to the trip for Everts. He said he will relish performing at Carnegie with his two children, Katy and PJ, members of the Dublin High band. 

“From a professional standpoint, I’m excited to be up there with my students and perform on a stage where so many great musicians have before us,” he said Everts. “But 30 years later, to be up there with my son and daughter, it’s just amazing.”

Students are expected to pay $2,200 for the four-day trip. The package includes airfare, hotel, food, tickets to the music festival and clinics with festival clinicians, among other things. 

The band held a fundraiser concert in March and will conduct other fundraising events during the school year. 

For more information about the trip and to learn about fundraising opportunities, visit www.dhsirishguard.org/index.html or contact Paul Everts at band2gether@comcast.net.