Paris in New York in February

— from Kristen Wilson —

Paris Wilson, junior at Orcas Island High School, has been invited to return to play violin with the 2018 Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in February. Selection for the group was by audition. “We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year,” said the Honors Selection Board, “and have selected nearly 700 of the most talented student performers from around the world.”

Paris will join student performers from all 50 U.S. states as well as Australia, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Guam, Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. The performers participate in one of five Honors Ensembles: the symphony orchestra, band, strings orchestra, and two choral ensembles. Paris will perform with the symphony orchestra.

“Participation is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world,” said the Selection Board. “Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication and achievements demonstrated in your application and audition recording.” Paris prepared three audition excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Ernest Bloch’s Abodah, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.

Paris and the other performers will come together in New York City for five days in February. They will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other students, and get a taste of New York City. The performance will take place on Sunday, February 4.

Last year Paris was selected to be part of the same series, and was also chosen to perform several short solos with the orchestra. While she has performed with other ensembles in concert halls in Vienna, Prague, Lisbon, Finland, and Sydney, Australia, Carnegie Hall remains a highlight for Paris. “Performing at Carnegie Hall last February was the most exciting experience I have ever had performing, and I can’t wait to go back again,” said Paris.

Nine years ago, at age seven, Paris was introduced to the violin at one of Pamela Wright’s week-long summer violin camps. She began playing in the Orcas High School Strings ensemble in sixth grade (under the direction of Wright) and is currently concertmaster of that group. Last January Paris received first place for violin solo in the San Juan Music Educators Association solo/ensemble contest in Bellingham playing the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major.

Paris has enjoyed many summer master classes available to student musicians through the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival (OICMF). She also works weekly as an intern at the OICMF office.