Freeman to play at Carnegie Hall

Aidan Freeman, a junior at Hot Springs County High School, has been selected for the High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall on February 4, 2023. Freeman will perform alto saxophone with the High School Symphony. Participation in the Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated young performers from across the world.

Freeman auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was recently accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in their application and audition recording. 

Freeman has studied music for 6 years. He has performed numerous challenging pieces at his school and at Northwest College. 

Freeman said, "Ever since I was really, really young, I've always been really inclined to music. I've always really enjoyed it. I have videos of me as a tiny little baby, dancing along with the music. One of my first ever birthday presents was a little recorder, and I would play on that or like a harmonica was one of my favorite toys when I was really young too. And whenever music was playing, I would like to go along with a harmonica and dance along... Once I got a little bit older, we had a piano at home and I used to play melodies on the piano and just try to figure it out. Oh, these two notes sound really good together."

Originally, Freeman lived in Cheyenne, but when he was in fifth grade, he moved to Thermopolis. At this point, it was time for him to choose which instrument to focus on, even though he loved many ones. Freeman said, "My dad used to be a saxophonist himself. I think it was pretty interesting to play the saxophone from the get-go. I thought it was a cool instrument because it was true. But I think it is also kind of funny. The main thing that sold me was my dad playing the Family Guy theme on saxophone by ear, and I was like, Oh my gosh, that's so cool. Wow! And I have been starting from there ever since."

While playing the saxophone, Freeman said, "Honestly, it's a form of meditation sometimes, especially when just playing by ear. That's why I enjoy jazz. You know, people hate on jazz because it's so made fun of, but you can improvise and you see the chord changes. That's when you play the melody and then you improvise and play the melody again. It always has been a type of relaxation unlike anything else since like it's my outlet for stress. If I get home after a really harsh day, I just get on my saxophone, with no sheet music or anything."

Freeman is a joyful, passionate, and dedicated musician who practices at least an hour every day. Also, Freeman has synesthesia and said, "When I listen to music, I see colors. It's unique to me. It's not really overall a musician thing, but I think or I imagine colors too. It's like I'm daydreaming about something."

Freeman will join performers from 48 U.S. States, Canada, China, and South Korea for a special performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement. The finalists will come together in New York City where they will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other performers, and get a taste of New York. The Honors Performance will take place on February 4 and is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased beginning approximately 60 days prior to the performance through the Carnegie Hall box office.

When it came to Freeman, having the opportunity to be selected and play at Carnegie Hall, it started with him getting a letter in the mail. Freeman said, "I thought it was a scam at first... But we were cross-checking and seeing it was real."

When asked if Freeman is nervous about going to New York and performing, Freeman said, "I'm really excited. I'm not nervous at all." He added, "Networking is huge, meeting new people from across the country. Whenever I'm rehearsing, I like to watch the instructor or the conductor and see what he likes to do."

Freeman added, "I am honored to participate in this program, to represent Wyoming, and to meet other high-level players."

"Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each Finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing," said Marion Gomez, Music Director for the Honors Performance Series. "We processed nearly 10,000 nominations this year and have selected the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at these renowned music halls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians will never forget."