The Newtown High School Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall on May 24 in the Isaac Stern Auditorium as part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) concert series.

The event also featured performances by the Great Bend Center for Music’s Great Bend Chorale and Alexander L’Estrange.

“It was the finest concert I have ever conducted,” said NHS Director of Bands Kurt Eckardt, reflecting on his 35 years of teaching. “They did terrific.”

Mr Eckardt said this year’s Wind Ensemble is “the best group I have ever conducted.”

The students performed with poise, enthusiasm, focus, and artistry, according to Mr Eckhardt.

The group performed five songs — “The Falls” by Rossano Gallante; “Arabesque” by Samuel R. Hazo; “Inferno,” the first movement from the “Divine Comedy,” by Robert W. Smith; “Lux Aurumque” by Eric Whitacre; and “Slava” by Leonard Bernstein and transcribed by Clare Grundman, according to a program for the event.

After the group performed “Slava,” its final number, Mr Eckhardt said he turned around to face the crowd and realized the audience was giving the NHS Wind Ensemble a standing ovation.

“It was a very strong response,” he said.