Cypress Lake band knows how to get to Carnegie Hall

S. WESTENDORF/FLORIDA WEEKLY Percussion students at Cypress Lake High School practice after school. "I think everyone at first just didn't believe it," said Max Pegues, a senior in Cypress Lake High School's Center for the Arts. It came as a big surprise to many members of the wind ensemble when the band director told them they were invited to perform at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City.

"It's just mind-blowing. I never thought we'd have this opportunity. I guess none of us did," said Kate Caitdeming, a flute player in the wind ensemble.

The group is one of 18 ensembles in the country selected to perform at the prestigious venue. At a competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., last April, Cypress' wind and jazz ensembles placed first in their categories. After the competition, Cypress was one of about 80 bands asked to send in a CD for the opportunity to play at Carnegie.

"We had to be invited just to audition, just to send in a CD," explained Joshua Blair, the band's director for the past three years.

"It's just one of those experiences where if something like this actually came through, that's something that you would have forever," said Mr. Pegues.

COURTESY PHOTO Carnegie Hall in New York City is one of the world's most famous musical venues. But it may not come through if the band does not raise enough money to fund the April visit.

"We just need somebody to be real generous right now. We're getting down to the wire," said Mr. Blair.

The band still needs $60,000 to pay for the trip. It has already raised about $22,000 through concerts, a silent auction, a car wash, and a yard sale.

Mr. Pegues, 17, plans on becoming a performance major in college. He has played the clarinet for the past seven years. "I remember going to Carnegie Hall when I was a really little kid to see a performance. Going back to perform there would just be really awesome. I've had the opportunity to perform with other groups in large venues like that, but Carnegie Hall is like the pinnacle of where you could perform in this country," he said.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of these students, Mr. Blair said. "This is like the Super Bowl of music."

After a Thursday afternoon rehearsal, the two seniors sat in the band director's office discussing college plans. Mr. Blair said many of his students go on to study music in college and, even for those who don't, the majority stay involved in music for the rest of their lives, some professionally and others for leisure. Alumni often become music teachers, performers or composers.

Ms. Caitdeming, 17, said she wants to go to the University of Florida and become a nurse, while pursuing a minor in music.

For the past four years, she has missed opportunities to go on band trips because of other commitments. This could be her last opportunity to travel and perform with her peers.

"We're all really talented and work really hard to succeed and I just believe we should have the opportunity to go to Carnegie," she said.

The group rehearses every day for about an hour, in addition to weekly after school rehearsals. The students also get together independently to practice.

"It's an all-week thing. Every day of the week, you have to work just to add a new section. It's a lot of work," said Mr. Pegues.

"These kids work their butts off. All these kids are extremely talented. They do well in school (academically) as well," said Mr. Blair.

The trip to the Big Apple is not all about music. The students are scheduled for an educational and cultural experience most Southwest Florida students don't come across on a regular field trip. Mr. Blair said possible items on the agenda include a visit to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Ground Zero, the Natural History Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Opera House, and a Broadway show.

The cost per student is $1,500, which includes everything except food.

"We'd love to get a giant gift where we can give the kids an allotment so they can help offset the costs of the trip, even with the food," said Mr. Blair. "In New York, it's five bucks for a Coke," he jokes.

To help garner support, the band offers prizes, like tickets to performances and CD/DVD recordings of the band, for large donors. There's even a prize for a "distinguished contributor" who gives $50,000 or more that includes becoming an "honored guest conductor" for an evening, conducting an entire concert for the band. Plus, the donor receives an invitation to the Carnegie Hall performance.

But for now, the band works to get donations of any kind.

The Center for the Arts hosts a recital dinner fundraiser Friday, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m. for $15 a ticket.

"Right now we're staying optimistic," said Mr. Blair.

To make a donation

>>Contact Band Director Joshua Blair at JoshuaDB@ leeschools.net or 481-2233.

>>Donations can be sent to: Attn: Joshua Blair, Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts, 6750 Panther Lane, Fort Myers, FL 33919

>>For information, go to www.clhsband.org