Scarsdale Orchestra Concert Webstreamed Live to Kabul

The Scarsdale High School Orchestra performed a late evening benefit concert on Tuesday, January 15 at 11 pm to raise money for an upcoming Afghan Youth Orchestra tour of the U.S. The concert featured chamber works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven and was performed late at night so that the concert could be streamed live and viewed by the Afghan students in Kabul.

This partnership came about because Scarsdale High School Orchestra director Amedee Williams read a New York Times article last year about the Afghan Youth Orchestra and was inspired to track down the Afghan Youth Orchestra director and offer help. Williams learned that the Afghans needed financial help for the tour and that Carnegie Hall had offered its hall. After many emails they put together a cultural exchange.

Williams was very pleased with the 1-15 event. He reported, "Many people watched the concert online and have sent me emails that they will be mailing in donations. I think the community is now more aware of the AYO tour and I hope people will attend the concert at Carnegie Hall on February 12th." Though there were initial problems with the internet, ultimately they were able to stream the concert live to Kabul.

A crowd of about 30 spectators and parents turned out to watch the event. For the opening, students Rachel Haber, Emily Nishiwaki and Nicholas Politi performed a string trio followed by a magnificent Beethoven solo by pianist Cherie Hu. Zubin Katicha, Bryant Lo, Caroline Holmes, and Aron Szanto played a string quartet, followed by a piano trio involving Alan Yao on violin, Aron Szanto on cello, and Cherie Hu on piano. These were concluded with the final performance of a Quartet with Naoko Nakajima and Helen Clapp on violin, Julia Wells on viola and Andrew Starr on cello.

A representative from the Afghan side said that the performance was "a good opportunity to see who we are meeting a few months from now!"

SHS Freshman Alan Yao, who performed in the concert said, "This is really a good experience for all of us. We have been preparing for tonight's concert for about two months."

Kathy Gray, mother of junior Helen Clapp said, "The concert opens up students' minds and makes them more aware of the world outside of Scarsdale."

On Friday, February 8, the Afghan Youth Orchestra will arrive in Scarsdale. Rehearsals, dinners, ice skating and sightseeing, hosted by the Scarsdale school community, will be followed by a joint concert of the two ensembles at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, February 12. The Afghan students will continue on to Boston for performances at the New England Conservatory.