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Rachel Blair will play at Carnegie Hall.
Rachel Blair is a senior at Canyon del Oro High School. She is an accomplished student and violinist who plays in the CDO Symphonic Orchestra.
The CDO Orchestra has been invited to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City. It is the first time that an orchestra in southern Arizona has been invited to perform.
Rachel is the President of the CDO Symphonic Orchestra Club. Rachel’s mother, Carolyn, said that when she was in 6th grade, Rachel wrote out a “bucket list”. On that list was “to see a show at Carnegie Hall.” Forget seeing a show. She will now get to be a show.
The CDO Orchestra will travel to New York City on March 18 and the students will get to spend four days there. Rachel said she “is really excited to go with friends to see the city.” She said the group will be going to see the Broadway musical “Chicago” while there. They will also get to see world famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma perform. The students and the CDO Symphonic Orchestra are raising funds to cover the cost of the trip.
Rachel has been playing violin for 10 years. She is a Concert Master. The Concert Master is the leader of the first violin section of the orchestra. They usually perform the solo in the orchestral work. They generally are the most skilled musician in the section.
Rachel has won numerous honors and awards not only musically but academically and as an athlete. A few of her awards include All State Winner with CDO Symphonic Orchestra 2016; All State Winner with CDO Orchestra, 4th Place at National level 2015; University of Arizona Honors Orchestra 2015; and Regionals Orchestra Participant on Violin 2014-2016. She is the Vice President of the CDO Canyon Singers Club, has been on the CDO High School Honor Roll 2013-2016, competed in the regionals in track 2011-2012 and the semi-final in basketball 2011-2012.
She volunteers and stays active in the community. She has volunteered and performed at the Oro Valley Nursing Home, La Cañada Nursing Home, and Catalina Recreational Center. She volunteers with Ben’s Bells a charitable organization with focus on art and education and is a Habitat Rehabilitation Worker at Oracle, Arizona Center. Rachel has been offered music and academic scholarships. She has narrowed the list to three schools but is leaning towards Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. She has an opportunity to audition to play in the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. She plans to major in music education and journalism. She enjoys writing.
Residents from the Tri-Community and the surrounding areas will get a chance to see Rachel perform with the CDO Symphonic Orchestra. The Orchestra will be performing at the Oracle Piano Society’s Center for the Arts on Sunday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go towards the student’s New York trip. Please come out and support the kids.
There are some other ways to help the students realize their fundraising goal of $75,000. They have currently raised $45,000. You can use a tax credit donation by donating to the CDO Orchestra. You can donate up to $200 individually or $400 per joint filing which can then be deducted from your state income taxes. The orchestra has a Go Fund Me account at www.gofundme.com/2r3nm8vn. You can also support their events. Go to the CDO Orchestra website to find out about upcoming events at www.cdoorchestra.wordpress.com.
Good luck, Rachel!
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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