Students in the Oak Mountain High School Band are currently enjoying the sights of New York City, while also preparing to perform Sunday night at Manhattan’s famed Carnegie Hall.

The school’s wind ensemble, along with a combined group consisting of the symphonic and concert bands, are performing March 1 as part of the invitation-only “Festival at Carnegie Hall” national band festival.

According to Travis Bender, associate director of bands for OMHS, the invitation to attend the prestigious festival was the result of the band’s previous outstanding performance at the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational.  The OMHS band competed against 21 bands from around the country and returned to Birmingham with the first place trophy and superior ratings from all of the judges.

“Following this competition, the trophy travels to some of the biggest music conferences around the U.S. and helps our program gain national prominence,” said Bender. “Based on this recent success, we received an invitation in August for our bands to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York City.  Our students and staff are thrilled to be traveling to New York, NY from February 25 – March 2 to take part in this national band festival.”

According to the event website, ensembles attending “Festival at Carnegie Hall” experience the rich history and tradition of arts that are part of the diverse culture of New York City, while also learning from world-class adjudicators and conductors.