Youngsters who make up the South Pasadena Children's Orchestra returned as champions from a recent trip to Carnegie Hall, earning top rankings for their performance.After a series of benefits and donations helped the students raise the $60,000 they needed for the trip, the orchestra - made up of children ages 5 to 11 - performed at the World Projects International Music Festival April 1.
"It kind of blew everybody away when they saw the size of the group and the music that was coming out," said Susan Pascale, founder and conductor of the orchestra.
The orchestra's members received a gold ranking for their performance, playing alongside high school students twice their age, she said.
"The performance was amazing," said Meg Aldrich, a parent.
Orchestra officials have applied to the Guinness Book of World Records, as they believe they may be the youngest orchestra ever to perform at Carnegie, Aldrich said.
For more information, or for future concert dates, visit www.stringsprogram.com.