Carnegie Hall, working in partnership with Greenbrier County music and theatre educators, presented One Night Only: A Celebration of Young Musicians in the Greenbrier Valley on Thursday, Mar. 7. The concert was a performance opportunity for accomplished music students in grade 6-12 living or taking lessons in the Greenbrier Valley. The showcase took place on Carnegie Hall’s Hamilton Auditorium Stage and was sponsored by Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC).
The One Night Only Showcase featured over 45 students who were juried in by video entries for solo performers and ensembles. Carnegie Hall received over 40 submissions, with the top 25 being selected.
“What a wonderful night of music and community! The very first One Night Only was undoubtedly a smashing success, and we’ve paved the way for an excellent yearly event at Carnegie Hall,” states Birch Graves, Eastern Greenbrier Middle School Assistant Band Director, Guitar and Music Educator, and One Night Only committee member.
Graves also wanted to thank “the music educators for your hours of patient teaching, the musicians for your excellent performances (the hours of practicing paid off!), the staff of Carnegie Hall who lovingly thought of every detail and thank you to the community for such strong support of the arts. We truly live in a special place.”
Selected performers included Aubrey Adkins, Joshua Alley, Ella Butler, Theo Crowell, Lily Dense, Ezra Dick, Tad Elkins, Kylee Fury, Keean Hedrick, Alexus Hill, Mason Huffman, Lydia Jackson, Mary Johnson, Sasha Lanek, Lucia Lipton, Lillian Long, Sal Marks, Ashley Meadows, Isaac Tincher, Wyatt Thornton, Coleton Utterback, Alyson Vandall, Emma Vincent, Nathaniel Vincent, Arabella Webb, The Shattered Glass (Second Block Rock Group), Enceladus Quartet (Heartstrings Academy), and The Arrivals (Second Block Rock Group).
One Night Only was also assisted by student stage/tech crew members, Kimmi Butler, Brian Lopez, and Preston Hedrick, and a student Emcee, Teagan Mandeville.
Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bryant was also very impressed. “I was in awe as I sat in the audience and thoroughly enjoyed and was inspired by each student(s) performance. One Night Only inaugural success necessitates a continuation of this amazing musical event for years to come. Not only were the students’ performances wonderful and beautiful, but the support from the community to sell-out Carnegie Hall was inspiring in itself.”
Special thanks to: Susan Adkins, Sally Bray, CAMC, Bill Clapham, Harmony Flora, Birch Graves, Gibbs Kinderman, Mary Leb, Kit Lindsey, Cathy Rennard, Susanna Robinson, Cathy Sawyer, David Webb, Nancy Wood, and all Greenbrier County music instructors and classroom teachers that encouraged students to participate.
Carnegie Hall WV is a member-driven nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala.
