HANCOCK COUNTY — Amelia Smith has played her instruments from the orchestra pit of Mt. Vernon High School Auditorium to venues across Indianapolis, and soon she’ll be doing it in one of the world’s most popular concert halls. prestigious in the world.

She will bring her English horn and oboe to New York later this month, where she and other members of the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall. For the rising Mt. Vernon eldest, the opportunity is a highlight in a connection to music that spanned much of her childhood.

Smith has been playing the oboe for almost six years and the English horn for about three years. She also plays alto saxophone in her high school marching band.

His introduction to playing musical instruments was in elementary school with the violin. Although she no longer plays it, she credits the experience for giving her a solid foundation to build on.

Smith chose to pursue alto saxophone in college, but was also drawn to oboe due to its unique appearance.

At Mt. Vernon, she participates in the Marching Band, Marching Band, Concert Band, and Pit Band for theater productions.

She loves the level of commitment required to play in bands.

“You are always involved,” she said. “You are still playing. Even if you rest, you are still engaged, counting the rests.

During her busiest musical times, she estimates she plays for at least three hours every day, whether it’s Indianapolis Youth Orchestra practices, band lessons five days a week at school or extracurricular practices for activities like marching band, concert band, and pit band. .

“I sometimes turn off my phone and make it so that I can’t open my apps so I can practice,” she continued, adding that this was especially the case during the solo and competitive season. of the Indiana State School Music Association.

Her desire to practice is driven by the fulfillment she derives from performance.

“Worth it,” she said. “Even if it’s a small audience, just a little applause makes you feel better. And it’s worth it to feel that your hard work is being leveraged and it’s paying off with all that practice.

Smith has been with the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra since her freshman year, and this is her first season with the organization’s Symphony Orchestra, reserved for more advanced performers.

The orchestra will perform works by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Lee Holdridge and Johann Strauss II at Carnegie Hall on June 27.

This will be Smith’s first visit to New York and Carnegie Hall will join a list of venues where she has performed, including the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis and the Palladium in Carmel.

“These are big, but this one is even bigger, and I can’t wait for that,” she said. “After so much playing, I feel like it’s time to take the next step, to go to other places and play – see new places with my instruments, new environments .”

Smith is one of about 30 members of the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra traveling to New York, and she said they practice together on Sundays for their performance.

She said she plans to stay involved in music after high school, but not professionally, adding that she plans to pursue a career in pharmacy.

Jackie Nason, group director at Mt. Vernon High School, taught Smith for three years. She described her student as dedicated and hardworking.

“Last year Amelia had a few solos in our orchestra music and handled them wonderfully,” Nason told The Daily Reporter in an email.

She is thrilled for Smith and his next opportunity with the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra.

“When I found out she was performing with the IYO at Carnegie Hall this summer, I was so happy for her!” Nasson said. “She will represent the band’s program and the community of Mt. Vernon well.”