Members of Bega’s Heartsong Choir have fulfilled a dream this week.
Thirty-six members of the choir joined over 200 other choristers from around the world to perform a rendition of 37-year-old Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo’s “Sunrise Mass” accompanied by an orchestra, at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
The group opened the “Between Heaven and Earth” night’s program that included the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International.
The uplifting piece was conducted by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) Associate Artistic Director Dr James Meaders.
Also conducting on the night were guest conductors Tom Shelton and Dr Richard Sparks.
Dr Sparks led the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International in the New York premiere of Allan Bevan’s Nou Goth Sonne under Wode, while Mr Shelton conducted a variety of music for young voices.
A long list of global choirs participated on the night, including the First United Methodist Church of Peoria, Illinois Sanctuary Choir, Inês de Castro Symphonic Choir, Keiran McNiff Singers, Norway’s Nidarosdomens Oratoriekor & Singsaker Songlag, River Dell High School Select Choir, Singsaker Songlag, Troubar Clair Choir, Clinton Junior High School Choir, Germantown Middle School Choir, Highbridge Voices, Indian Land Middle's Warrior Choir, The Garrison Forest School Middle School Chorus, Canada’s Edmonton Metropolitan Chorus, Khorikos, Kings Chorale also from Canada and the Trinity Western University Chamber Choir.
The amazing journey began when Heartsong Choir’s conductor Geoffrey Badger received an email from a woman who had seen a YouTube video of the group performing “Ubi Caritas”, and asked if they would like to perform a piece in New York.
The passionate choir members then spent months practicing the 45-minute orchestra-backed piece they would be performing on the night.
They held fundraising events and a series of concerts to raise the funds to send as many members as possible on the once in a lifetime trip.
Over 25 local businesses also helped the choir as did a large number of community sponsors.
Since being in New York members have enjoyed the sights and soaked up the creative atmosphere the Big Apple offers.
Social media has been awash with pictures of the excited members enjoying Central Park, the Frick Museum and Battery Park.
