AJ Hamburger, of Alliance, is one of 350 students from around the world who were selected for the prestigious honor of performing clarinet at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Hamburger, who is the son of Julie and Aaron Hamburger, Sr., is a multi-talented musician, capable of playing eight instruments. Other instruments he plays include the bass clarinet, flute, baritone saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn and multiple percussion instruments. He currently is a freshman at Alliance High School.
“Clarinet was my first instrument in sixth grade,” said AJ. “I switched between percussion for marching and one Christmas concert I played trumpet. I mainly did clarinet throughout middle school. It was just something I went with.”
AJ likes to perform challenging pieces, he said, citing the solo Scherzo in C Minor he performed last year.
“It was challenging, but I enjoyed playing it,” AJ said. “I’ve been playing four years, if you include high school. I like listening to music, and playing it is amazing, especially with some of the pieces I’ve come across in the past few years.”
Julie explained that AJ was drawn to the clarinet when he was deciding which instrument to take up for band. He came to the conclusion that clarinet was for him after hearing several clarinet performances and listening to the unique sounds it produced. AJ said his major inspiration has been Shannon Kinsella, band director, who also played clarinet.
“She has really driven and motivated him a lot,” Julie said. “We kind of nudged for him to try band because we (Aaron and Julie) both found it kind of like that piece where someone can fit in. He always heard stories growing up about the Rischlings and my experiences in band, and the way it offered me a haven. So when it came time for him to try out for band, he was super excited.”
The Hamburgers are trying to raise funds, in addition to funding the trip for AJ and the family, to bring Kinsella to New York City to see the performance at Carnegie Hall. They currently have a GoFundMe page active to raise money, as well as an account set up at Consumers Cooperative Federal Credit Union. They are also planning to host a garage sale and bake sale at Pathways to Hope 224 West Second Street on December 5-6.
Kinsella nominated AJ as part of a program to bring student musicians from around the world to perform at Carnegie Hall. There were more than 10,000 applicants. The Hamburgers learned of the nomination after AJ’s solo competition in eighth grade, by receiving a letter. AJ and Julie said they had limited time to practice for the audition, learning two different pieces in addition to being able to play the full chromatic scale.
“Everything just went so fast,” said Julie. “He did his solo-music competition. (Kinsella) worked really one on one with him. She did not start her summer vacation on time. She came in and helped him work on it and get it all set up. She pushes him out of his comfort zone, which he does not like, but I’ve seen him grow so much as a musician because of that.”
AJ described how he learned he was one of the 350 students selected to perform.
“I had morning band,” said AJ. “(Julie) comes to wake me up at six o’clock. She shakes me awake. I see a smile on her face, and I’m wondering what happened now. She said that when I get up she had to talk to me. So, I get up, I head over to their room, and she told me that I got in.”
The family will fly to New York on February 5, where AJ will practice on Feb. 6-7. AJ will perform at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 8, and then they will fly home on Feb. 9. During that time, they will have an opportunity to go sightseeing, as well as to attend a performance on Broadway.
“I’m excited to meet new people, because it’s all around the world,” AJ said. “So, I might get to meet people from either different states or different countries.”
AJ is also applying to be a part of the Kearney Honor Band and the High Plains Honor Band at Chadron State. He is also preparing to audition to perform in London his junior year. Someday, AJ hopes to be a band director to help students learn a passion for music by coming back to give back to Alliance.
“For as long as I can remember, he’s wanted to be a teacher,” said Julie. “When he found band, it became band teacher. His connection with Miss Kinsella is just out of this world. It’s cool to watch. Those are the teachers that they’re there not to just teach: they’re there to make a difference.”
Kinsella has challenged AJ, Julie explained, by giving him harder pieces to perform. She even encouraged him to speak to the Alliance School Board to explain the need for new band uniforms for the middle school. Kinsella also nominated AJ to take part in the Gering Middle School Honor Band.
“She’s made him a stronger person,” Julie said. “Because she believes in him.”
Julie and Aaron are excited to see their son perform and this level, noting the hard work he puts into practicing.
“I’m ecstatic,” Aaron said. “I played trombone with WNCC, and never, ever, in a million years, was I as good as AJ is right now. To just see him play and watch him grow, and to know that he’s going to go to Carnegie Hall in New York City is huge. It’s all you wish for as a parent.”
“It doesn’t feel real, at all,” said Julie. “You get to watch your kid experience something you never thought possible. We knew he was extraordinary, because he’s our kid, and we just believe that, but watching what he can do when he plays his clarinet; watching the passion that he has, it’s a completely different experience. I don’t know how to describe it. Watching his love for music. He works his tail off. He’s got an ear for it you wouldn’t believe.”
AJ encourages other students to take part in band.
“Every challenge you can complete,” said AJ. “There’s no such thing as an impossible challenge.”