As someone who has helped with overcoming the pandemic here in NYC and elsewhere, and reopening the arts, I was happy to return to Carnegie Hall for the first time tonight - since the pandemic. Having attended outdoor concerts throughout the summer, and smaller indoor events this fall, I have waited until I was sure it was safe return to large halls, given my high risk status. I found this to be the perfect time to return and celebrate this fabulous holiday and the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. I had a fabulous evening, filled with celebration as well as tears of joy, and processing all the sacrifices we have made as a team at the foundation during the pandemic until this moment to be able to return. We are thankful and grateful for the wonderful music, and to celebrate with this international group without masks, without covid vaccine checks, and without the spaced seating protocols that were in place … I was happy to be at Carnegie Hall celebrating the triumph over covid, as well as the city’s triumph over covid. Although NYC is continuing to move through economic recovery from the pandemic, we are excited to officially say ~ NYC is back and overflowing with greatness. I am happy to return to the in person live performances at major concert halls experience with international artists and musicians.

Tonight’s performance concludes the orchestra’s sensational 18 concert 2023 Peace Proms Tour, featuring more than 35,000 elementary school children throughout Ireland and beyond. Since their inception in 1995, CBOI has played a pivotal role in music education for children across the Island of Ireland, serving as a community-building initiative for children in the Republic and Northern Ireland. The orchestra has engaged and inspired tens of thousands of young musicians since its founding. Today, CBOI continues to break barriers and build bridges through its engaging performances around the world. As a world-class, concert-level symphony orchestra, CBOI has performed for Presidents Biden, Higgins, Obama, Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, his Majesty King Charles III, and represented Ireland at the World Expo in Shanghai.

In keeping with their community building mission, tonight’s St Patrick’s Day performance is also a commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the groundbreaking agreement of April 1998 that brought peace to Northern Ireland. Music education and performance create community, foster communication, and build bridges. As the late Dr. Oliver Sacks said, “Music is not a luxury, but a necessity.” Music heals, and we believe in the ability of CBOI’s music to foster sustainable partnerships and encourage inclusion beyond religious backgrounds and political affiliations.

While the Covid-19 pandemic paused their live performance schedule, CBOI adapted, practicing, and rehearsing, and performing remotely, remaining a community of musicians. They are thrilled to return live, celebrating the vital role young people and music play in creating a diverse and inclusive environment for current and future generations.

The Program for the event and more on the Orchestra with Greetings from Officials

(photos follow below program…. )

To make a donation to The Cross Border of Orchestra of Ireland please go to: WWW.CBOI.IE

To make a donation to Carnegie Hall go to: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Support

To make a donation to The Grenchus Foundation go to: https://www.thegrenchusfoundation.org/donate

Photos of the event follow below by Mega (accept the selfie - selfie by JB)

Video of the encore song by Mega