Monroe Teenager sits first chair cello at Carnegie Hall

MONROE-In nationwide tryouts, 15-year old Monroe-Woodbury High School sophomore Madeline Huberth was chosen to perform with the National Festival Orchestra at New York's Carnegie Hall. In seating auditions, Madeline placed first in the cello section. On Jan. 16, she and the orchestra played Mahler's "Symphony Number One" in Isaac Stern Auditorium under the direction of world-famous conductor Lukas Foss. One of the youngest members of the National Festival Orchestra, Huberth is principal cellist with the Monroe-Woodbury Chamber Orchestra, the Allegro Baroque Ensemble, the Hudson Valley Youth Orchestra and the Manhattan School of Music Symphony Orchestra. In addition to the cello, she is an accomplished pianist and has been featured in performances at Eisenhower and Steinway Halls. "It was a thrill," Huberth said. "The sound was clearer than I've ever heard, and just to be able to play on the stage at Carnegie Hall, especially with Lukas Foss, makes me feel very lucky." She plans on applying to colleges that are either strong in music or have a conservatory component. Eastman School of Music is on the top of the list at the moment. She wants to perform, although she said she believes she also will develop capabilities such as composition or conducting.