On Sunday, February 15th, an eclectic compilation of ensembles performed at Carnegie Hall in a program entitled Excellence in Education.

Opening with a high school string ensemble from New Jersey, the concert began with a humdrum start. Although the North Brunswick Township High School (directed by Jeffery Bradbury) was pleasant in youthful appearance, the ensemble’s music was not impressive, even for high school students. Violins and basses were easily sharp or flat, and a pair of second violins played like concert soloists, bowing at full volume with notes out of tune and character. The ensemble performed classic Baroque with the famous and slightly clichéd Bach standard, “Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor,” as well as two movements from a Handel Concerto Grosso. Although their performance was rather plain, their efforts as amateur high school musicians were endearing. After their last note the students stood and smiled while parents gave standing ovations and cheers of gratitude — their babies made it to Carnegie Hall before even getting into college.

Trendy college students from the Santa Cruz’s University of California Wind Ensemble (directed by Dr. Robert Klevan) took over the stage after intermission. The ensemble performed gripping wind band repertoire (Mitchell, Hartley, Beal, C.S. Young) with dramatic contrasts between instrument groups. It was clear from the flutes to the saxophones to the clarinets, sections were big on listening to each other. The trombone section was especially powerful as there was actually more than one bass trombonist, an impressive feat for any student ensemble. In “Concerto for Clarinet and Soprano Saxophone” the band featured Paul Contos on the soprano sax. The piece was fast, note-y and impressive, but the young and bustling feel of the Californian ensemble dimmed slightly as the featured musician was actually an adult teacher instead of a student.

In the grand finale rainbow colored sashes adorned musicians of the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band (directed by Brian Worsdale) as they paraded on the Carnegie Hall stage. With the musicians’ admirable postures, perfectly-in-tune tuning notes, and relaxed musicianship behaviors, an air of professionalism immediately struck the audience, even with such fun accessories. The symphonic band played Bernstein’s famous “Overture to Candide” to the delight of operetta lovers in the audience, as well as pieces by Ticheli, Wagner, and Reineke. The biggest crowd pleaser of the night was clearly Leroy Anderson’s “The Typewriter,” in which a few members acted a skit between a boss, an employee, and a loud typewriter. After this charming and chuckle-inducing act, Worsdale conducted the band in the fun and quirky piece that mimicked the fast typing sounds of a typewriter — its dinging bell made possible by a few featured percussionists. Upon the ending, audience members applauded with gusto, and the colorful Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band walked off stage.

While the diverse range of talent and ensemble may have appeared to be an inconsistent match for Carnegie Hall, the three groups of each brought something valuable to the Excellence in Education program, if only great volume, good looks, or colorful accessories.