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Liberty student will perform at Carnegie Hall
By LINDA M. LINONIS
liberty
Performing at Carnegie Hall signifies a certain level of achievement.
And for Alyssa Schor, it comes naturally.
Alyssa, 16, has played the violin since she was 4 years old, taking lessons at the Jewish Community Center, where she continues studying with the same teacher, Gina Bagnoli.
Her mother, Dr. Harriet Schor, said a comment by Michael Gelfand, principal cellist with Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, confirmed what she knew in her heart and through her ears. “He told me that she was a natural,” Dr. Schor said. Gelfand made the comment at a violin lesson.
“The natural” will be among hundreds of other young, gifted musicians who will perform in the American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York that features band, choir and orchestra. Alyssa will be playing the second-violin part in the orchestra during a concert June 26. In the audience will be her mother; father, Atty. Neil Schor; and 13-year-old sister, Meryl.
Alyssa leaves Monday for New York, where she’ll spend time with family. On June 23, she will start rehearsals with the honors orchestra directed by Charles Peltz, director of wind ensembles at New England Conservatory of Music. The program also includes a Juilliard School seminar, a Broadway show, an appearance on “The Early Show” and visits to Times Square, Lincoln Center and ground zero. Alyssa said she is looking forward to shopping and shows.
Alyssa, who will be a junior at Liberty High School, was nominated by Michael Summers, band director. “Anytime you have to audition, it means something,” Summers said. Alyssa had to submit a five-minute CD; she played half of “Praeludium and Allegro,” as the entire selection is longer. “She’s a very good musician,” Summers said of his student, who plays clarinet in the band.
“Playing and marching is an acquired skill,” said Alyssa, who will be a drum major in the marching band this fall.
She played in Liberty’s concert band, in which all freshman musicians participate, and plays in its symphonic band.
Alyssa said she was honored when Summers told her he had nominated her for the series. At first, she was selected as an alternate then received another letter of acceptance into the orchestra.
“I can’t describe the feeling. It was just wow,” Alyssa said of being picked to play.
“As for her violin skills, she is very accomplished,” Summers said of Alyssa. “She has performed a high level of material at a young age.”
Summers said Alyssa has consistently received superior ratings in Ohio Music Educators Association District 5 competitions in which she played the violin and clarinet.
“I like playing the violin because it takes me to a world of my own,” Alyssa said.
She plays classical selections and fiddle tunes, which she characterized as folk or country songs. “I like them equally,” she said.
Alyssa credited her mother as the source of her musical aptitude. Dr. Schor played clarinet in the University of Michigan marching band and has since played in some alumni events.
Alyssa also earned a place in the Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra after an audition.
“Music is very much a part of Alyssa,” her mother said. “The beauty of art and music is that you can have them no matter what else you do.”
Alyssa, an A student, was the only sophomore from LHS to participate in a recent Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar.
She is vice president of B’nai B’rith youth organization. At LHS, she is a reporter on the school newspaper.
Alyssa will be featured on the WFMJ noon news program today.