Huntington Flautist Performs for Sir James Galway
Kieran McCarthy is no ordinary flautist. The Huntington High School sophomore is truly gifted and a recent weekend experience for her is probably the dream of every young flute player.
Ms. McCarthy was selected to be one of just four Long Island high school flautists to play for Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway, the most celebrated flautists in the world. The couple held a master class for young flautists at the Tilles Center on the campus of C.W. Post College.
The screening process required Ms. McCarthy to submit a resume for review, which led to a subsequent audition and selection. At the master class, as the three other top Long Island students watched, she played her NYSSMA all-state audition piece, Carmen Fantasy by Bizet (arr. by Frances Borne) for Lady Jeanne, who critiqued the performance.
“She gave me some good tips, but I was so nervous, I couldn’t remember what she was telling me,” Ms. McCarthy said. “Luckily my mom wrote down all of her comments.”
Following the critique of the other players, all of the young flautists performed in a flute choir, playing several Irish folk tunes arranged by Sir James. Next, the flautists watched as Sir James critiqued one of the college flute players' solo performance. The event concluded with all flute players getting a chance to perform with both Jean and Sir James.
The Galways live in Switzerland and tour all over the world. But, they are regulars on Long Island, as Jeanne Galway grew up in Elwood and attended John H. Glenn High School. The master class event followed the Galway's benefit concert at Tilles with tickets priced at $100 each or $500 with dinner.
Ms. McCarthy was all smiles as she recalled the event. "I was so excited to be there," she said. “I am thankful to my accompanist, Christine Dore, and my mom, who found out about this special opportunity.”
"I knew Kieran was something special when she started in our music program in fourth grade,” said Joan Fretz, Huntington’s director of fine and performing arts. “She was already playing flute when our program began, and had a remarkably professional sound and composure when she was just a little girl.”
Ms. McCarthy had the honor of being the first chair flautist in the high school wind ensemble as a freshman, which is quite unusual. She continues to hold that seat this year, under the direction of music teacher Brian Stellato. She was also selected as the first chair flute and piccolo player for the recent Division II All-County Band concert.
“She's a delightful and modest young lady that we thoroughly enjoy working with,” Ms. Fretz said. “I'm trilled that she had this opportunity."
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office