photo by: Contributed Photo

Simon Walrod, right, a senior at Eudora High School, poses for a photo with conductor Kirt Mosier at Carnegie Hall.

Simon Walrod, a Eudora High School senior, was able to achieve one of his lifelong dreams last February: performing at Carnegie Hall.

Simon, who plays flute and percussion, auditioned virtually on snare drum and was selected to play several percussion instruments with the Honors Performance Series High School Orchestra at the highly esteemed concert venue. The tryout tape was only a minute and a half long, and Simon spent weeks perfecting it.

“A minute and half is not very long, but all the little tiny details matter for what they’re listening to when they’re selecting performers,” Simon says. “I spent a few weeks trying to get one good audition tape.”

Not only was Simon selected to perform at Carnegie Hall, he was picked to play in the orchestra, a distinction reserved for the best auditions.

“Simon’s audition was among the best of the best,” says Damian Johnson, director of band for Eudora Middle School and Eudora High School.

Simon is often selected for elite state performances, but this was his first time performing on a national stage, and he was initially astonished that he made the cut. The people who know him, however, were not surprised.

“Simon has a drive and determination that is unlike anybody,” Johnson says. “I wish I could take credit for him. … But he gets his mind set on something and he’s going to do it. That’s just the way he is. I can almost guarantee he’s in the band room practicing right now. I’d bet my paycheck on it.”

When Simon first considered auditioning for Carnegie Hall, he was concerned about his ability to finance the trip to New York if and when he was selected. Johnson told him to put the money worries aside and to focus exclusively on the audition. So that’s what Simon did. A few weeks later, after receiving glowing remarks on his audition and hearing he had indeed made the cut, Simon launched a GoFundMe to raise the $2,400 necessary to attend. Family, friends, fellow students and distant relatives contributed to the campaign, which raised $4,080, meaning that money was no longer a concern.

“The community came through for (Simon),” Johnson says. “He sent personal thank-you letters to donors. I had several kids in my band who received letters because they donated, students in the band who didn’t necessarily know Simon but thought, ‘Hey, this is something you need to do, and we want to help you do it.'”

After three flights were canceled due to snow, Simon flew to New York alone and stayed in the city for five days. Though he was anxious while crafting the audition tape, Simon was poised and confident during the performance on the big stage.

“I’ve performed enough now that I don’t experience performance nerves,” Simon says.

Simon has participated in band since seventh grade. He practices at least three hours daily and takes the pursuit seriously.

Simon’s father, Paul Walrod, is a former band director and music teacher. He says Simon’s work ethic has been consistent since his freshman year.

“As far as his drive and ambition and talent goes, Simon has worked really hard all through high school particularly, and has not missed any opportunities (to audition and perform),” Paul Walrod says.

Since performing at Carnegie Hall, Simon has played in the all-state full orchestra in Wichita, with the distinction of the top snare drum audition. He is applying to regional colleges with well-established bands.

Whatever the future holds for Simon, he will be able to look back at his time performing at Carnegie Hall with pride.

“I’m used to playing with and rehearsing with wind players, so hearing and performing with an orchestra with strings, that was really exciting,” Simon says. “Just being able to practice with a group of extraordinary people was an amazing experience.”