Local Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall
For the choir members and musical director for Mission Hills United Church of Christ (MHUCC), an invitation to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City was never in the cards. However, that changed when composer Joel Raney came across a YouTube performance by the church choir, who range in age from 16 to 80-plus years of age. The choir was performing one of his earlier pieces, “Blessed Assurance.”
According to members of the choir, it was both a surprising and exciting invitation. The choir members, who are diverse in age and musical experience, are devoted to work hard and perform at their best ability every Sunday for the congregation. This invitation, to perform at Carnegie Hall on Monday, December 2, will be an opportunity for them to bring their best musical skills and talents to the event.
According to Zoey Merrick, who is one of the younger choir members, she has been singing in choirs since she was six years of age. Merrick is classically trained and had performed in three operas at a very young age. She loves performing with the choir because it’s a shared experience.
Ben Case, who is a tenor and attends San Diego High School, has been performing since he was in grade school and enjoys the camaraderie of the choir.
According to Susan Lehman who is a second soprano, she “loves performing a variety of songs and enjoys the positive response from the congregation.”
Thanks to generous donors, and some quickly organized fundraising events, the choir was able to cover travel costs.
There are 27 people who regularly sing in the church choir. A total of 14 will sing “Have You Heard?: A Celtic Christmas Celebration” by Joel Raney at Carnegie Hall. It’s about 30 minutes long.
In order to share this performance with neighbors and friends, the choir is organizing a special concert a couple of weeks after they return from New York. It’s scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, December 21 at the MHUCC (4070 Jackdaw Street, San Diego, CA 92103). It will feature this cantata along with other Christmas pieces (including the hand-bell choir). They are excited to share the free concert with friends and neighbors in Mission Hills and surrounding communities.
Category: Donations, Entertainment, Events, family, Historical, Holidays, Local News, Music, Nonprofit, Religion, Seniors, Students
