Luling teen performs at Kennedy Center

Cameron Hall, a 16-year-old Luling resident, recently performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on June 24 as part of the All-Nationals Concert Band.

After making All-State in concert band in October 2011, Hall auditioned and progressed to the national level on tenor saxophone. Hall was one of only two Louisiana students who advanced from All-State to All-Nationals this year. He credited his weekly participation in the Manna Choir Band at Holy Family Catholic Church in Luling in preparing him to become a successful musician.

Making the All-National band had been a goal of Hall’s since he visited the Kennedy Center on a trip to Washington D.C. in April of 2010.

"I really enjoyed playing at the Kennedy Center," Hall said. "It was a dream to play there since I had seen concerts there before on two previous trips with my parents."

Hall said that in addition to working with professionals, part of his enjoyment in playing the concert was getting to be part of a band made up of the best high school students in the country.

"We were up at 6 a.m. each morning during the four days in Washington D.C. to be ready for practice at 8 a.m. It was four hard days with very little time for sleep," he said. "Mr. Daniel Bukvich was an amazing clinician and I enjoyed playing two of his own compositions."

Hall said the members of the All-Nationals Concert Band were also taken to see a nearby professional band perform.

"We were treated to a concert at the Baltimore Convention Center where we saw the President’s Own Marine Band perform," Hall said. "This was especially a great highlight of the trip for me since I have participated for three straight years in Loyola’s Wind Ensemble with Colonel John R. Bourgeois who used to be the conductor of the President’s Own Marine Band in Washington D.C."

Hall is a senior at Lusher Charter High School in New Orleans and a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Luling.

Hall is part of the Tipitina’s Internship Program under the supervision of renowned New Orleans musician Donald Harrison Jr. Hall also volunteers as a musician for the River Region Performing Arts and was in the orchestra for their 2009 production of Lil Abner and 2011 production of Annie.

Cameron is the son of Doug and Beverly Hall.