Those familiar with the St. Charles East wind ensemble say, besides practice, skill and sentiment are what got the group to Carnegie Hall.

The school’s top band was selected to perform during the National Youth Concert March 14 and 15 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Although the ensemble performed in 2006 at the famous venue, next month’s trip will be a first for the current members, said Band Director Jim Kull.

“It’s nice for them to hear their pieces in Carnegie Hall,” Kull said of the 39 students making the trip. “It will really be a very memorable thing for anyone that goes.”

The ensemble had to submit audition tapes to be invited to play at the concert, Kull said.

One of the pieces they will play is called “Echo Never Fades,” in honor of a student at St. Charles East who died in 2002.

Seventeen-year-old Tyler Caruso died suddenly July 14, 2002, from a heart attack. Caruso, who was going into his senior year, had a number of accomplishments, including football team captain and student member of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership. He also played alto saxophone in the wind ensemble.

To honor Caruso, Kull commissioned composer David Gillingham to write a piece in the teen’s honor. To do so, Gillingham interviewed Caruso’s family, friends and fellow musicians.

The result is a piece of music that tells the story of Caruso’s many positive traits, said Tyler’s mother, Marilyn Caruso.

The more mellow parts of the song show the teen’s sensitivity, and how he cared for his family, friends and community, she said, but the more robust parts show his leadership side.

“His death was just devastating to not only us, but to the entire community,” she said. “We’re very excited Tyler’s memory lives on.”

Caruso would have turned 27 on Feb. 16.

The piece is included in an annual spring concert in Caruso’s memory, and has been played by other orchestras around the world, Marilyn Caruso said.

The Carusos attend as many local concerts as they can, she said, and they hope to make the trip next month to New York to hear it played in Carnegie Hall.

“We’re thrilled,” she said.

Junior Mary Snyder, 16, plays the alto saxophone – Caruso’s instrument – which has a solo in the piece.

“It’s an honor. It really is,” Snyder said, adding that she’s excited to visit New York City and Carnegie Hall for the first time.

“I can’t even wait,” she said. “The acoustics are apparently incredible.”

The wind ensemble will play a preview concert locally at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28, at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road.