Sophomore Composes and Performs from Allentown to Carnegie Hall

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Just ask Ethan Monberg, the SCH Academy sophomore who played his way to the storied venue over spring break. 

The pianist, vocalist, and commissioned composer won the American Protégé International Competition, which took him to Carnegie Hall. It was at Weill Hall in New York City that he premiered his original solo piano composition, "Summer Drive," while also demonstrating his vocal range by securing second place in the competition's voice category with a rendition of Scarlatti’s Italian art song, "O Cessate di Piagarmi."

“I remember the summer after 1st grade, we were visiting family in Rhode Island, and there was a piano in the room we were eating in,” said Monberg. “I had just finished my first real recital, and so I started playing pieces from it. My great-aunt Lucille kept telling everybody that I was going to play at Carnegie Hall one day, and, of course, everyone laughed because Carnegie Hall? But she was serious—and it happened!”

As part of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s America 250 celebration, he premiered an original work for piano trio and baritone. This commission was inspired by the Langston Hughes poem "Let America Be America Again.”

“He wrote this poem in 1935 to express his dreams for America and what it could be,” said Monberg, introducing the piece to the audience. “I tried to embody that in my work. We find in his poem that it’s the same issues that the founding fathers had at the birth of our country, that he had 90 years ago, and we still have today.”

Monberg’s musical journey began early with piano, and he began composing at age 10, leading—already—to a career marked by national and international awards. A dedicated student at SCH, he credits his teachers for fueling his passion for music across various platforms. He has served as a Suncoast Composer Fellow and remains an active participant in the Fear No Music Young Composers Program.

“Mr. Woehr was instrumental (pun intended!) in setting me on the path I'm on today,” said Monberg, recalling when Roland Woehr H’07 (recently retired), then Lower School choir director, encouraged him to audition for the Philadelphia Boys Choir when he was in 3rd grade. I never thought I was much of a singer, but I was so encouraged by his recommendation that I went and was accepted. Then my voice teacher at the Choir, Mr. Ashby, suggested that I learn to compose during the pandemic, to keep me interested in music while we couldn't meet to sing. And that's how I started composing. It all goes back to Mr. Woehr! But I also have to mention Dr. (Megan) Monaghan and the rest of the music and theater faculty here at SCH. They are all so supportive of me and of students' musical pursuits in general.”

Although he has interpreted 18th-century classics and composed modern works, Monberg says he’s simply “just interested in music.” 

“What is just as remarkable as Ethan’s accomplishments is what he brings to his work each day: a deep dedication, genuine care, and a clear love of music that is evident in his lessons, classes, rehearsals, and compositional work,” said Megan Monaghan, director of Arts at SCH, “His unbounded musical curiosity keeps him exploring, questioning, and growing. I can only imagine what lies ahead for him. We are all incredibly proud of him.”