Local musician takes stage at Carnegie Hall

Practice, practice, practice. Many know the well-known joke about what will help you get to Carnegie Hall, but one local musician understands the preparation and work that goes into getting there a bit more than most ever will. Jordan Hale, an Indian River High School graduate and soon-to-be-senior a West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU), provided his expertise and talent in a double quintet last weekend at one of the most renowned music halls in the world.

“I still don’t think it’s all settled in,” Hale admitted a few days after the May 31 performance. The 15-minute performance, “Consort for 10 Winds” by Robert Spittal, saw five of the top musicians out of WCU accompanying the Quintsylvania Winds, a woodwind quintet comprising professors from the university.

Hale, a clarinetist, is studying to earn his bachelor’s degrees in music education and performance, as well as a history minor, and said he was ecstatic to be given the chance of a lifetime to play in front of thousands in the legendary hall.

“It was still hard to believe when we got there,” he said, “that we’d be playing in Carnegie Hall. But as we saw the professors warming up there, we started to say, ‘Oh, I guess it’s really real.’”

Hale took to music at an early age, enrolling in the school band as soon as he could, in fifth grade while at Lord Baltimore Elementary School. He continued playing through his time at Selbyville Middle School, where he studied under the guidance of then-music instructor Neil Beahan, who has since taught at the Southern Delaware School of the Arts.

“Jordan really developed his talent as soon as he could,” said Beahan. “He works very hard, and he goes above and beyond what is asked of him. He goes out of his way to perfect his talent, and he deserves to be living the dream that he is right now.”

Once he was at Indian River High School, Hale stuck with music, earning a bid to all-state band, working with conductor Mark Marvel. By his junior year in high school, Hale knew he wanted to teach music once he got older.

“I had some great teachers growing up,” said Hale, “like Neil [Beahan] and Mark [Marvel], and they always looked like they were having a lot of fun. I give them and my parents and teachers all the credit. They’ve been behind me all the way. I couldn’t have accomplished what I have at my age if they weren’t supportive of me. I’m happy I’ve been able to find what I love doing so much.”

Hale began taking private lessons in high school, too.

“I started with them later than a lot of people do,” he admitted, “but it really helps you get ahead of the crowd. I’ve been really lucky with the choices I’ve made.”

By the time he reached WCU, Hale started organizing a group with fellow students, three of whom accompanied the Quintsylvania Winds in their New York performance.

He knew that music was going to be an art that would be by his side the rest of his life.

“As you get older,” he said, “you can’t play sports the way you once could, where you could still pick up a musical instrument and really produce something amazing. Music is something that will be with you your entire life, and it’s important to have that in middle school and high school.”

He has performed in the marching band, chamber winds, wind ensemble and the college orchestra. His talent has even earned him spots as the featured soloist in some performances.

Dr. Karen Dannessa of WVU, a clarinet specialist and member of the quintet of professors, recognized Hale’s determination and offered him the chance to accompany the group in New York City.

“He’s one of the nicest students you’ll ever meet, and he works really hard,” she said. “He contributes a whole lot, and I felt that he definitely deserved to go with us. They all ended up doing a great job, and for someone to get the chance to do that at his age, it’s really amazing. It’s an achievement that he’s going to remember forever. I was really happy to have the young performers play with us and be a part of it.”

For Danessa, it wasn’t her first time setting foot in the music hall with her clarinet, but all the same, it’s a wonderful feeling, she said.

“I can’t describe what it’s like to be there and play among some incredible performers. It feels like you’re a part of something, and that makes the preparation and work that goes into it extra important. It’s a lot different than playing a faculty recital, and I think this trip was a great experience for everyone.”

Hale’s studies in music have opened his eyes, revealing an underappreciated field that has lost some of its prominence over the years. He noted that many of the music programs — especially ones he was subject to growing up — have failed to receive the publicity and recognition they deserved.

“A lot of sports teams seem to get most of the attention,” he said. “It’s a shame, but music and band seem to get tucked away.”

His history studies have helped to shine a different angle on his passion, and really capture the essence of what music provides for the mind, body and soul.

“Music goes way back to even what the Greeks studied,” he referenced. “They had math, a couple sciences and music. It was one of the original foundations of education, and it’s true. It’s such a natural art form. I think, if you really put yourself into music, that everyone should have the same opportunities.”

After he completes his studies at college, Hale isn’t planning to jump directly into a teaching career.

“I want to play for 10 to 15 years. A lot of my professors started off that way, and some are world-class performers. After playing that long, when you decide to teach, you know the majority of things that someone needs to work on, just from hearing it. I’ve always admired that skill.”

His admiration for music and enthusiasm for the art have brought him to where he is today.

“I still love to play a lot and perform,” he said, “and that’s one of the luckiest things I have going for me right now.”