Making History: Our Students Take Center Stage at Carnegie Hall

On Thursday, February 22nd, Center Stage Music Center’s students will grace the stage of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall for a very special performance. Ahead of this exciting night, filled with many family and friends, we wanted to speak briefly about the significance of Carnegie Hall to the music world and especially to Center Stage Music Center.

In the late 1880s, Walter Damrosch, along with his two siblings, helped establish the Mannes School of Music (later the Juilliard School). Passionate about all things music, Damrosch, with his brother Frank, led the Oratorio Society of New York and the New York Symphony Society. With a grand idea in mind, they approached the wealthiest man in the United States, Andrew Carnegie, pitching a prestigious concert hall that was capable of housing performances by both organizations in New York City. Carnegie agreed to sponsoring the institution, and the rest is history.

When the hall opened in 1891, it was originally called “Music Hall” and consisted of three buildings: 1. The main auditorium of 2,800 seats. 2. What is now Weill Recital Hall, a chamber music venue seating 270. 3. What is now Zankel Hall, a smaller hall below the main auditorium seating about 600. Since it's inception, Carnegie Hall has set the global standard for musical excellence as the aspirational destination for the world’s finest artists and musicians. It brings us great pride to have our very own students grace the stage at Weill Recital Hall on February 22nd, 2024.

Center Stage’s Director, Veronica, states “As a New Yorker, you grow up hearing about Carnegie Hall and from a young age, you can only dream of performing there.” She continues, “It is an honor to have our students take 'center stage' in a performance hall rooted with so much history and prestige.”

In the past, great names have performed at Carnegie Hall, such as George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Leonard Bernstein, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, and many many more. To this day, Carnegie Hall remains notable - not just for its performers and caliber of excellence - but for its astounding acoustics and the environment that it fosters. We, at Center Stage Music Center, are proud to add our names and YOUR names to that glowing list.

Make sure to get your tickets HERE for this Thursday's unforgettable concert!