Practicing My Way to Carnegie Hall
“How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice.”
That is exactly what I’ve been doing! In mid-June, I will be joining the Arizona Women’s Chorus for a concert at Carnegie Hall. Due to a conflict in concert dates, I was unable to perform with the chorus this past spring. However, the opportunity to take part in a Carnegie performance was simply too good to pass up. So, I’ve been practicing diligently on my own at home. I think I will be ready!
What is so special about performing at Carnegie Hall? Why would I, along with a large group of women, travel all the way to New York City just to perform for 25 minutes?
For musicians, Carnegie Hall symbolizes the absolute peak of musical excellence. The hall is legendary for its phenomenal acoustics, which is incredibly important when you are singing in a large group.
When I lived in New Jersey, I actually took a tour of Carnegie Hall. I learned all about its history and how the unique metal structure creates those amazing acoustics. During the tour, I sang a quick rendition of “Happy Birthday”—so technically, I have sung in Carnegie Hall before! But this upcoming trip will be my very first time on the actual stage. Because of how the auditorium is structured, there really is not a bad seat in the house.
Joining a Historic Lineup
Historically, I will be joining an absolutely amazing list of performers who have graced that stage, including Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, and The Beatles. Wow! Maybe someday, people will look back and say Elaine A. Powers sang at Carnegie Hall, too. According to their official write-ups, Carnegie Hall’s prime location in Midtown Manhattan consistently attracts highly discerning audiences.
The concert program will feature a beautiful selection of 20th-century and contemporary choral music. Matthew Abernathy will conduct Poulenc’s Gloria. The concert also features works by Adolphus Hailstork and Jake Runestad, alongside world premieres by Khris Dodge and Kendrick Tri Huynh. The event will be led by an incredible lineup of conductors, including Damon Dandridge, Terrie Ashbaugh, Jennifer Garrett, and Sean Hale. I’ll be singing in the Khris Dodge premiere, which is directed by Terrie.
The chorus I’m performing with is the Arizona Women’s Chorus, led by Terrie Ashbaugh. She commissioned a specific piece for this event called “Tides of Life — Les Marées de la Vie,” composed by Tucson conductor, arranger, and composer Khris Dodge. Famous Tucson vocalist Katherine Byrnes wrote the wonderful lyrics. “Tides of Life” explores a woman’s journey through life. It is a deeply interesting piece, and I am truly looking forward to singing it on such a grand stage.
A Quick Return to the Big Apple
It will be wonderful to see New York City again. I used to visit the city quite often when I lived in New Jersey. Back then, I would simply catch the bus into the Port Authority, spend the day enjoying a Broadway show or the Metropolitan Opera, and then head back home to sleep in my own bed. It was a great lifestyle.
Even after I moved away from New Jersey, I would regularly go back for visits. I’d spend a few days with friends and cram as many theatrical shows into a single week as possible, returning home feeling completely Broadway-sated.
On this upcoming trip, I will definitely be seeing a Broadway show—though only one this time around. I wanted to see more, but my schedule will be packed with essential rehearsals for the concert. Since I haven’t sung this specific work with the full group yet, I absolutely need those rehearsals!
I selected a show that recently transferred over from Great Britain called Operation Mincemeat. I’m not entirely familiar with the plot, but it has received stellar reviews.
While looking at current theater listings, I was surprised to see how many shows currently playing are revivals of productions I saw when they originally opened on Broadway. I felt a bit old when someone pointed out that Ragtime is back on Broadway after about 25 years. Actually, it is even worse than that—it has been 28 years! I saw both Ragtime and The Lion King during their very first years on Broadway.
Beyond the music, I’m looking forward to the amazing New York food. I am highly hoping I can track down some authentic lox and bagels while I’m there. I’m planning on traveling with only a carry-on bag, but perhaps I should bring a larger suitcase just to pack it full of East Coast delicacies to bring back to Arizona.
The only unfortunate aspect of the journey is the extreme brevity of the trip. I usually like to hop over to Hunterdon County, New Jersey, for a few days to visit old friends, but I simply won’t have the time on this itinerary. The Carnegie Hall concert is the sole focus of this adventure.
Please keep me in your thoughts on Sunday afternoon, June 14! Stay tuned for a full report on my time in New York City and how the concert went.
Sing Along with Curtis Curly-Tail!
While I am busy practicing my choral music for New York, you can introduce your young readers to the musical, lyrical storytelling of the Caribbean! Explore the Curtis Curly-tail Lizard Series to experience vibrant stories that are perfect for reading aloud.
