Wiles Elementary School chorus performs at Carnegie Hall in New York City

Spcial to The Sun
·2 min read

Students from the Kimball Wiles Elementary School chorus recently returned from a trip to New York City where the performed at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall

The students performed with top youth ensembles from across the country as part of the Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) Festival Youth Series. Nationally-recognized guest choral conductor Emily Ellsworth led the ensemble in the performance of several pieces for the MCP festival concert.

This was the Wiles Elementary chorus’ third performance at Carnegie Hall since 2017. Chorus members included Jaime Alford, Claire Olson, Juniper Parker, Jacoby Rasher, Tessa Traum, Aubrielle Vetsch and Chelsea Zou.

The Kimball Wiles Elementary School chorus recently performed at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The Kimball Wiles Elementary School chorus recently performed at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City.

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The performance repertoire included a diverse array of musical styles and languages, including Latin, Macedonian and Portuguese. After an audition that included 50 students ranging all the way up to high school seniors, Wiles fifth-grader Juniper Parker was selected to perform in a small ensemble on Haydn's "Regina coeli" during the concert.

“The students embraced the challenge of this repertoire with enthusiasm, demonstrating their versatility and commitment through diligent rehearsal,” said music teacher/director Carrie Olson.

Besides performing themselves, the Wiles students were in the audience for performances by the Masterwork Festival Chorus with the NYC Chamber Orchestra and the Reddam House Umhlanga College Choir from South Africa.

The students also had a chance to explore cultural and historic sites in the city, including the Statue of Liberty, the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park and Times Square. They even saw the award-winning Broadway musical "Wicked."

“It was an honor for the students to perform on the stage and in the hall revered as a sacred space by musicians worldwide,” Olson said. “This trip will shape their appreciation for music and cultural exchange for years to come.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Wiles Elementary chorus from Gainesville performs at Carnegie Hall