P.K. Yonge Chorus to Perform in Carnegie Hall
Sherwin Mackintosh |
An invitation to perform in prestigious Carnegie Hall would thrill just about any well-known musician. Imagine the excitement to be asked to sing on the world-renowned stage as a high school student from Gainesville, Fla.
Next spring, members of Sherwin Mackintosh’s vocal ensemble at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School will join other choruses from throughout North America in the May 9 world premier of Paul Basler’s Missa brevis at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
“This excellent chorus received an invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and the exceptional recommendation given by Mr. Mackintosh’s choral colleagues,” Candace Wicke, conductor-in-residence for MidAmerica Productions, said in a press release announcing the event.
The students will travel to New York City in early May to spend five days and four nights rehearsing for the performance, which will be conducted by Russell Robinson, University of Florida professor of music, and accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble.
The chorus is seeking community support by way of sponsorships and is working on several fund-raising activities to help pay trip expenses for its members. The cost per student is $1,500, bringing their total cost to $32,000 for the group. The deadline to see if all the students can go is Feb. 1.
A black-tie event is planned for Valentine’s Day at Eventfuls Banquet Center at Willow Walk, 13840 Newberry Road Suite 100. The chorus is also selling tickets for $6 for a breakfast on Jan. 14 at Applebee’s, 1005 NW 13th St. The students will serve breakfast and provide vocal entertainment from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. They are also selling Domino’s cards for free pizzas for $10.
“These wonderful musicians not only represent the quality of music and education within the P.K. Yonge School community, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community,” Wicke said. “This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”
For more information on upcoming fund-raising activities, call Carrie Kelsey at (352) 392-1554, ext. 260, or e-mail her at ckelsey@pky.ufl.edu. For information on sponsoring the trip, contact Mackintosh at smackintosh@pky.ufl.edu.
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Writer
Anwen “Wendy” Norman, anwendy@ufl.edu, (352) 392-0726, ext. 246
