Wednesday evening, BYU-Hawaii's Concert Choir departed for New York City on a one-week tour culminating in a performance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall. After weeks of daily rehearsal, the choir is ready and excited to see the "BigApple" and to perform Mozart's Requiem at the premiere hall.
"The experience [is] a once in a lifetime opportunity for the members of the choir," explained choir director Michael Belnap. "Most of the students from [our target areawould] never have the possibility of seeing Carnegie Hall, let alone performing there." The invitation to participate in this special musical event came from the organizing group "in recognition of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated" by BYU-Hawaii's choir.
In addition to the great honor of performing in Carnegie Hall, the choir will have the opportunity to visit famous American icons, such as Grand Central Station,the Empire State Building, Ground Zero and the 'Met.' The choir has been studying the history and culture of the region in a class taught by University ArchivistMatt Kester. As the group experiences the city for itself, they anxiously anticipate opportunities to share the aloha spirit with those they come in contact with.
In class on Tuesday, BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway advised students that "this is more than just a trip. You are going as missionaries, as representatives of the Church and of this university." With energy and anticipation, the choir warmly received the council while making their final preparations for departure.
A handful of choir members, deemed "veterans" by President Shumway, traveled with the choir to Japan and Korea in 2004. From the success of the 2004tour the choir earned the invitation to perform in New York and based on these experiences in Asia, President Shumway promised them that their "presence will create an aura that will reach out and touch the hearts of those who [they]will come in contact with."
While looking forward to such impromptu performances and interactions the choir also has a few special planned performances. Friday afternoon, the choir will have the rare opportunity to perform at Old Slip Park in lower Manhattan, where a statue of Joseph Smith has been erected to commemorate the founding prophet's200th birthday. The statue will present a unique setting for the choir to fulfill their mission of sharing their special talents and spirit. "A student told me about the statue," explained Justin Smith, tour coordinator, "soI made a call and found out it was scheduled to come down just a few days after we leave." Belnap, Kester and Smith agreed it was an opportunity that could not be passed up.
The choir will also be accompanied by V. Napua Baker,Vice President for University Advancement and Rowena Reid, Director of AlumniAffairs. Reid will be overseeing the first official meeting of the newly organized New York BYU-Hawaii AlumniChapter, where the Concert Choir will perform a fireside. Alumni in the area are invited to attend the fireside, which takes place on Sunday, June 4that 7:30pm at the newly dedicated Harlem LDS Chapel.
The group's visit is also making an impression at home in Hawaii where the Honolulu Advertiser recently published an article about the tour. Click here to view the article.
After a weekend of rehearsals with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and choral groups from New York, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia, the groups will take the stage together at Carnegie Hall on Monday, June 5th at 8pm.