Tuesday, January 18, 2011

BHS SELECT SINGERS: Start Spreading the News, They're Singing in May!

With great excitement the Burlington High School Music Department has announced that it has accepted an invitation for the Burlington High School Select Singers to perform in the Octavo Series of Manhattan Concert Productions at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert will take place on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage of the Stern Auditorium at 8:30 pm on May 1, 2011.

The Octavo Series is designed for qualified high school singers to collaborate on 6 or 7 varied shorter works under the direction of nationally recognized guest conductor, Allen Hightower of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Upon their arrival in Manhattan, they will participate in several hours of rehearsal over the course of three days which will culminate in their performance on Sunday evening and will perform with students from four other choral groups.

The BHS Select Singers is an ensemble of twenty Burlington High School students ranging in age from 15 to 18, chosen by audition by director John Middleton-Cox. Their repertoire includes a variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz and show tunes. Daily rehearsals during scheduled class time provide the singers with the opportunity to practice their skills and perform pieces that are both musically and artistically challenging.

Members of the Select Singers who will be travelling to New York for the Carnegie Hall performance are sopranos Amanda Harrigan, Giovanna Fernandes, Samantha Goober, Jessica Olin, Jessica Villalta and Samantha Hovasse; altos Jennifer Gregorio, Nicolette Moody, Emily Martin and Danielle Schissler; tenors Chris LaRocque, Shane Ryan, Joe Nosack, Adam Tigges and Stuart Gelin; and basses Andrew Silva, Dan Feldman, Paul Neves, Zaven Ovian and Jesse Carnes.

Carnegie Hall is a venue that has long been the premier classical music performance space in the United States since its opening in 1891. Once on stage, the BHS students will look out on five levels of seating that accommodates seating for 2,804.The auditorium’s acoustics have made it a favorite of audiences and performers alike. “It has been said that the hall itself is an instrument,” said the late violin virtuoso Isaac Stern. “It takes what you do and makes it larger than life.”

Fundraising for the Select Singers trip to New York City is currently underway. On February 9 the Select Singers will perform in “The Best Night Ever, a showcase benefit for Carnegie.” The concert will begin at 7:30 pm in the Fogelberg Performing Arts Center and will include solo and ensemble selections. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available for purchase on the web at www.BurlingtonTickets.org, from Select Singers members or at the door.

For more information or to find out how you can help the Select Singers’ fundraising efforts for their performance at Carnegie Hall, please contact the Burlington High School Music Boosters at bhsmusicboostersassn@gmail.com

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