Kei Braun, an 8th-grade student at Chief Joseph Middle School, Bozeman, Montana, has recently been selected to perform with the National Middle School Honor Band at Carnegie Hall, New York, on June 18, 2022.

Braun will play the alto saxophone during this prestigious 5-day program culminating with the Carnegie Hall performance and states, “It is an incredible opportunity to play on such a world-renowned stage. I am humbled by my teacher’s support and my friends and family assisting me.”

The Carnegie Hall concert on June 18, 2022, includes students from 39 states and Canada. Braun was selected through a rigorous process of teacher recommendation, written essays, and performing audition and is the only student chosen from Bozeman, and as far as is known the only student from Montana.

Mrs. Michel Sticka, Band Director at Chief Joseph Middle School, commented: "I could not be more proud of Kei's accomplishments. He is such a tremendous musician and has worked so hard to receive this opportunity. Kei will be a strong and positive representative of our Band program, our school district, and the entire state of Montana."

Braun’s family has been holding a variety of fundraising activities to help pay for the estimated $5,000 cost to participate including family support, a GoFundMe campaign “Help Kei to Carnegie Hall”, a Bozeman Friends of Music scholarship, a National Honor Band scholarship, and holding a hand-made fudge fundraiser.