Derek Wood and Elizabeth Arnell at Carnegie Hall, High School Honors Orchestras, 2023

Congratulations to Derek and Lizzy for participating in the Carnegie Hall High School Honors Orchestras in February, 2023. There were students from 41 states and three countries.  This involved a rigorous audition process, lots of preparation, plus long rehearsals in New York. Both of them have participated in Suzuki Strings, public school orchestras, and the Orchestra of Southern Utah.  It is exciting to see years of hard work offer students such wonderful opportunities. Thanks to the families for the photos.


Looking up at Carnegie Hall

Derek Wood on stage

Lizzy at the airport







Lizzy was in the Honors String Orchestra and Derek was in the Honors Symphony Orchestra







New York from the airplane

From Liesl Arnell, Lizzy's mother:
Lizzy enjoyed meeting other participants from different states all over the country. At first she was intimidated but once they started playing together she realized she belonged there and was technically as skilled, if not more skilled than her peers. It was a great compliment to her musical education here in Cedar City.

She loved being with youth that were so different from her and yet they shared this common language of music. Her conductor, Jeffrey Grogan, had been telling the participants how disorienting and difficult it was to play on the Carnegie Hall stage because of the acoustics. Lizzy was getting worried about the experience until she got on stage and realized that he had been joking. The sound and acoustics were incredible and unlike any performance space she had ever been in.

She was joined by nine other family members who came to witness your accomplishment and enjoy the performance.

When she was not in the eight hour long rehearsals each day, Lizzy enjoyed seeing the musical “Wicked,” touring Central Park, seeing the beautiful architecture of the city, and the beautiful views from atop of the Rockefeller Center. She also enjoyed some amazing food, and her family brought home a New York cheesecake to savor.

The experience was something that Lizzy and her family will remember and be grateful for for many years to come. We are so grateful for the musical education that was provided here in Cedar City. Many thanks to her teachers, Sara Penny and Haleigh Vance for helping prepare her for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

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