The Cane Creek Middle School band director had been keeping a secret from his students, while the principal, Andrea Britt, had been keeping a secret from him. Both secrets were finally revealed at a special school assembly Friday.
Band director Adam Stewart went first, and shared the news that this year’s seventh grade band has been invited to perform in the 2025 New York Invitational Music Festival at Carnegie Hall. The band is one of only six school groups chosen to perform.
“It’s a mix of excitement and nervousness,” Stewart shared. “We’re going to perform on one of the most prestigious stages on the planet. I’m really glad our students will have this experience.”
Seventh grade band students seemed well aware of the significance of the honor.
“We’ve worked really hard this year, and I know we’ll have to keep it up,” said flutist Trinity Earley. “I’m so excited, though, and can’t believe we get to play in New York.”
As Stewart prepared to end the assembly, principal Britt asked students to stay for another announcement. She introduced Jason Spencer from the North Carolina Symphony to surprise Stewart with the Jackson Parkhurst Award for his achievement with young musicians. The honor is one of only three educator awards given by the symphony each year.
“Mr. Stewart is someone who has built an incredible arts community at Cane Creek Middle School,” said Spencer. “The Arts Day Celebration in December had 90 percent of the school participating, and parents filling every parking space. We received nominations from around the state, and he stood out immediately.”
Principal Britt nominated Mr. Stewart for the award. When she learned he’d won, she orchestrated the surprise announcement.
“It just all worked out,” she said. “He wanted to tell the band about Carnegie Hall, and I told him we needed to have a full school assembly. We’re so proud of both of these achievements, and wanted the entire school to celebrate together.”