Sidney Choir Invited to Carnegie Hall

Sidney High School's choir has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York city next month.

The choir, under the direction of David Mead, received the invitation after performing the work "Sleep," by Composer Eric Whitaker, on an audition recording. The group learned by mid-week last week that its recording had been well received, and after further review by officials from Distinguished Concerts International New York City, they were officially invited to perform.

The concert, a performance of The Music of Eric Whitaker, is part of the DCINY Concert Series in New York City and will take place Sunday, April 28 in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. The Sidney musicians will join others from around the world to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction that will perform under the direction of the Composer.

Dr. Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for CDINY, said the Sidney choir was invited "because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers, as well as the high quality of their audition recording.

"It's quite an honor just to be invited to perform in New York," Griffith continued. "These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community."

Choir members will spend five days and four nights in New York City preparing for the concert. Griffith said singers will spend nine to 10 hours in rehearsals over the five days.

"Not all time is spent in rehearsals, since there is so much history and culture to see in New York City," Griffith said. "However, the performance is the primary purpose for their visit to the city."

Whitaker is a Grammy-winning composer and conductor. His concert music has been performed throughout the world by millions of both amateur and professional musicians. His ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united singers from over 110 different countries. He had conducted both vocal and instrumental concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra.