Justin Clarke performs at Carnegie Hall

SPX Junior Justin Clarke was selected finalist for the 2018 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. Clarke played violin in the Honors String Orchestra ensemble which consisted of basses, cellos, violas, and violins. He traveled to New York on February 1st, and rehearsed until his performance on the 4th.

The selection process was in-depth and required an application, teacher nomination, performance biography, and audition recording. The audition, which was submitted online, was made of two excerpts chosen by Clarke, two etudes chosen by judges, and scales. SPX Instrumental Music Director, Keith Jordan, nominated Clarke and is proud of his student’s national distinction. Clarke not only represented St. Pius X, but all of New Mexico, as he was the only student from the state selected for the Honors Performance Series.

The series allows finalists to build their performing resume as they rehearse with master conductors and other students from across the world. When asked about performing in the famous venue he said, “You could feel every vibration on stage, the acoustics are the best I ever heard. Every seat in the hall provided a front row listening experience.”