By: Maria Ivan

The school choral program is trying to raise $80,000 in order to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York from May 25-29.

Last spring, the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), a non-profit organization that strives to promote musical excellence, and their affiliates from Mid America Productions in New York, informed the choir of the opportunity to perform on the prestigious stage alongside other school choirs across the nation.

Choir teacher Beth Richey decided to apply, and sent a video of the choir’s past performances. After a two-week wait, Richey got the call of acceptance from renowned musical composer John Rutter.

The $80,000 will cover all airfare, performance, food, and housing costs for the 40 students and four chaperones attending. Students are currently working on raising the money before the April deadline through various events and fundraisers.

Each student has an overall expense of $2,000, but they are not required to raise a specific amount for themselves. Richey said some students are able to donate more than others, but does not want anyone to be left out due to the lack of funding.

The choir is currently selling tickets to “The Funniest Night of the Year,” a comedy show that will be held Oct. 27 in the campus auditorium. They are also planning on selling holiday items next month.

Businesses have also sponsored events to help the choir raise money for the trip. Last month, Pinkberry and Yogurtland offered to give 20 percent of customer’s spending to the choir, as long as the customer showed the choir’s flyer at the cash register. The next business-sponsored fundraiser will take place at Barnes & Noble on Dec. 6, and will work the same way as it had for Pinkberry and Yogurtland.

The choir is practicing and learning vocal techniques for the upcoming performance. Rutter will conduct as they perform Mozart’s “Requiem.” Richey chose the “Requiem” because it is a “timeless” piece of music.

Patricia Dilanchian (’13) said she is “honored” to perform with “big name people” like Rutter and other talented musicians.

In addition to Carnegie Hall, the choir has a strict rehearsal schedule set up with John Rutter. They also plan on doing an exchange concert with another school, seeing a Broadway show and many other tourist attractions.

Anyone may further help the choir by donating money, by hiring the choir to perform at personal events, or by sending in items to Richey’s choir room for the Dec. 20 silent auction. The auction will take place during intermission at the choirs’ holiday concert, and the items will be distributed at the end of the concert.