Queens’ Sounds of Spring Sings in Corona

Corona’s Carnegie Hall rang last night with Queens’ Sounds of Spring Festival, lifting NYC’s youth. Conductor Mia Chen led high school bands as 300 cheered, a March tradition reborn. It’s borough notes—$20 tickets, kids free, pure Queens vibe. A teen tooted a horn; a pro clapped loud. ‘Queens plays—this is it,’ Chen says, waving her baton. The hall turned symphony.

The fest’s back—annual, it’s doubled since ’24, packing seats by 7 p.m. Chen’s a Flushing maestro; last night’s set hit max—brass shone. A latecomer snagged a balcony spot; strings swelled—NYC soul glowed. Schools statewide joined—talent ran deep. #SoundsQueens trended; Brooklyn’s tuning in.

Some shrugged—’Too loud,’ griped a grump, earplugs out. Space squeezed—latecomers stood; music held. A mic buzzed—fixed fast; show rolled. Manhattan wants a slice, but Queens owns the beat—notes rule. Carnegie’s never piped so young.

Chen’s teasing a spring encore, maybe outdoors if weather bites. ‘NYC’s future—this sings it,’ she says, stacking scores. The fest’s a Queens win—grit meets grace. It’s a youth jam; catch the next. Bring a kid—music soars.