BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

GCS UPPER SCHOOL CHOIR CONNECT WITH AUDIENCES AND EACH OTHER THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC.

Violinist Isaac Stern once said, “Everywhere in the world, music enhances the hall, with one exception: Carnegie Hall enhances the music.”

Situated at the intersection of 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City sits one of the most famous concert halls in the world. Every major artist has performed there, from Tchaikovsky to Judy Garland, The Beatles, and Beyonce. And now Glenelg Country School (GCS) is among those participating in the 132 years of tradition of musical excellence and prestige the hall boasts, as 18 members from the Upper School Choir recently returned from their debut performance on this world-famous stage in New York City.

The students joined seven other California, Florida, and New Jersey choirs to create a 200-voice ensemble under Dr. Amanda Quist, director of choral activities at the University of Miami. The choir sang a diverse range of challenging repertoire, including an excerpt from Mozart’s “Coronation Mass” with three GCS students featured as soloists: Peter Seelman ’23, Nancy Bao ’23, and Jola Oyegoke ’24. A contemporary piece also featured Mia Sandhu ’25 singing an arrangement of Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers,” complete with a bluegrass band.

GCS submitted three distinct audition recordings to be selected to perform. Once selected, students dove into the challenge of learning six new pieces. “The music was the most challenging repertoire GCS has ever performed, and they loved exploring it!” explains Karis Nichols, choir director. The musical selections, designed for collegiate and professional ensembles, were a challenge to which students rose. “This process allowed students to experience creating music professionally and develop their music reading skills at an accelerated pace.”

But there was also time for relaxation. Students had a few days to explore the city, including short trips to the Hayden Planetarium, the top of the Rockefeller building, and the brand-new Museum of Broadway. They caught the 1,000th performance of the hit Broadway musical, “Hadestown,” where GCS students took photos with Broadway royalty André de Shields. Students sang “Hairspray” songs at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, home to the world-famous singing waitstaff. Also, they attracted a large crowd when inspired by an acoustic guitar cover of “Shallow,” ensemble members broke out into song at the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park.

Three days of rehearsals culminated in a “mountain top” performance at Carnegie Hall on the evening of Monday, March 20. Many students shared it was an experience they would never forget, made even better that they could share it with their friends from the choir.