Stephen Caldwell, associate professor in the U of A Department of Music, took the stage at Carnegie Hall to conduct a concert of his own work on April 9. The centerpiece of the concert was the New York City and Carnegie Hall premiere of "Pre-Existing Condition," a work Caldwell composed in 2018 about the journey of families with kids born with congenital heart disease.

The event help to raise money and awareness for several CHD advocacy groups, most noteably Conquering CHD, to whom Caldwell donated his performance fee. 

Sixteen members of the 2018 Schola Cantorum who premiered the work joined the ensemble in New York, along with a host of musicians from across the country.

The large and appreciative audience gave a rousing ovation, but none cheered louder than Caldwell's 6-year-old son, who was sitting in the 10th row and hearing the piece written about him for the first time.