Nordhoff Student to Play at Carnegie Hall

When the National Wind Ensemble--which is made up of 75 high school and college musicians from throughout the nation--performs at New York’s Carnegie Hall in May, Nordhoff High School senior Michael Deutsch will be among them.

Deutsch, 17, is one of six percussionists selected for the honor.

He started playing percussion when he was in the third grade, and with orchestras and ensembles when he was in seventh grade.

“A friend of mine told me that I should try out for nationals, and I didn’t have any idea what he was talking about,” Deutsch said. “So I asked our music director at Nordhoff High School, Bill Wagner, how to go about getting an application, and he told me how to apply.”

Deutsch then auditioned for the ensemble in September and was selected the following month.

He has been a member of the Nordhoff High concert and jazz bands for four years and was selected last year to be a member of the All-State Honor Band, which will be performing Friday and Sunday in Fresno.

Deutsch was also named to the All-Southern California Honor Band, which performed last weekend in Long Beach. He will audition for a music scholarship later this month before attending Cal State Northridge in the fall.