Area high school student selected to play at Carnegie Hall

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Nathan Gardner, a student at Hampton Park Christian School, has been selected for the 2017 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. He will be performing with the trombone in February as part of the Honors Band, one of the five Honors Ensembles limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world.

Earlier this year, Gardner auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. He will join other performers from 49 United States, Guam, two Canadian provinces, and a number of foreign countries for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.

“Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing," said Morgan Smith, program director. "We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 750 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians never forget”.

Gardner has studied music for 10 years and is a current member of Foothills Philharmonic and Hampton Park Christian School bands. He has won numerous state and national awards. Within the last year he has won positions in SC All State band, SC Youth Wind Symphony and has also been a guest performer with the US Army Field Band.

“I’m excited to work with other talented high school students and be able to perform at such an iconic stage,” Gardner said.

Finalists will come together in New York City for five days in February 2017. They will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other finalists, and get a taste of the city. Two performances, an Honors Choral Performance and an Honors Instrumental Performance, will take place Sunday, February 5, and are open to the public.

Tickets can be purchased through the Carnegie Hall box office.

Learn more about the Honors Performance Series by visiting honorsperformance.org.