The Barren County High School Band has received a formal invitation to perform at the world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY in May 2012.  Dr. Kip Crowder and Monica O. Crowder report that Dennis Loy, Conductor in Residence for Mid-America Productions, officially accepted the BCHS application on February 8th. 

To gain acceptance to perform in New York, the Barren County students had to first be recommended to apply.  This recommendation came from Chuck Campbell, former director of George Rogers Clark and North Hardin High Schools and current director of the Heartland Winds Community Band.  According to Dennis Loy, Mr. Campbell was approached for recommendations of Kentucky bands worthy of the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall.  Chuck responded that he knew of a high school band that had created a reputation for being one of the “best playing bands in the state” and he forwarded BCHS’s information.  Dr. Crowder was contacted and asked to submit a recording of the band to ensure that they were worthy to play in New York.  Shortly after reviewing the recording Dennis Loy contacted Dr. Crowder with a formal acceptance.

BCHS band is scheduled to perform as part of the “Spotlight” series in May of 2012.  The students will spend 5 nights and 4 days in Manhattan and will take in some of the famous educational landmarks while they are there.  They will receive rehearsal time in Carnegie Hall prior to their performance as well as advertisement and playbill promotion.  

The estimated cost of this trip will likely reach $125,000.  For the BCHS band to successfully go to New York next year, fundraising efforts have already begun.  It will take the dedication and effort of parents, local and regional resources, and community support to accumulate the finances necessary to expose the students of Barren County to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

About Barren County Band

Since 2003, the BCHS band has steadily increased the number of students named to the All State Band and All District Band, setting record after record in the region.  This year, including alternates, BCHS had 43 students named to the KMEA 3rd District Honors Band which was more than any other school in the region.  Additionally, Barren County sent 6 students to the 2011 Kentucky All State Bands, a record rivaled only by the 7 Barren County students from 2010 named to the bands.

BCHS students have received numerous monetary awards based on their ability in instrumental music.  In terms of college scholarships, it is estimated that BCHS band students have received over $250,000 in scholastic funds since 2004.  Many of these graduates have received full tuition to attend universities in the commonwealth and beyond.  Additionally, BCHS and BCMS students represent the largest school population to attend Foster Music Camps in Richmond, Kentucky.  With the generous assistance of the Glasgow Musicale, Barren County students annually attend the second oldest summer music camp in the United States held on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University.

About Carnegie Hall

The historically renowned Carnegie Hall, located in the center of Manhattan, has long been a coveted performance venue for all genres of entertainment.  Designed by architect William Burnet Tuthill and built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1891, Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious venues in the world for both classical and popular music.  It has its own artistic programming, development, and marketing departments and presents about 250 performances each season.  For more information visit www.carnegiehall.org