Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) music instructor Ernesto Ferreri recently achieved a significant milestone in his career by performing his composition, Octet Op. 32, at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. The Connecticut Virtuosi performed the piece under the direction of Maestro Damiano Tognetti of Florence, Italy.
Originally composed in 1979 and extensively updated in 2013, Octet Op. 32 is a richly layered work written for an eight-player ensemble. The performance at Carnegie Hall featured an expanded string section, enhancing the piece's depth and texture.
"Performing at Carnegie Hall is a dream for many musicians, and to have my composition played there is an honor,” said Ferreri. "As a native of New York City, this felt something like a homecoming."
Ernesto has been a dedicated faculty member at CFCC since 1993. He has a long history of composing and sharing his work internationally. His journey to Carnegie Hall began in 2007 when the Tallis Chamber Orchestra performed one of his compositions. This performance led to further opportunities, including performances in Tehran, Iran, and Poland, where conductor Arian Sylveen Mackiewicz championed his work.
"Having a faculty member whose work is performed at Carnegie Hall speaks to the exceptional talents and dedication of the instructors at Cape Fear Community College," said Jim Morton, CFCC President. “Opportunities like this not only highlight the caliber of our instructors but also inspire our students, showing them that a career in the arts can reach the highest levels of recognition. We are proud to celebrate Ernesto's achievement."
To learn more about Cape Fear Community College's Fine Arts program, visit cfcc.edu/associate-in-music/.
