The Glen Cove High School Select Chorale took the international stage in May with a standout concert tour in London, earning acclaim during a prestigious choral festival and delivering performances alongside some of the world’s most celebrated composers.
From Cadogan Hall to the historic Musicians Church, the ensemble represented Glen Cove on a global platform through a series of high-level performances, cultural exchanges, and unforgettable musical collaborations.
“For me, going to London with Select Chorale is one of the most moving experiences in my life and now one of my favorite memories,” said junior Sophia Zapata Diaz, who serves as the Chorale’s secretary. “It’s truly incredible how our choir isn’t only a means of business but a family — a way of learning about who you are and forming connections you will never forget.”
Zapata Diaz said the trip brought new friendships and emotional moments as the students experienced London together for the first time.
“Discovering a place so new to most of us together felt so different from any other experience I’ve had,” she said. “I would wake up every day in excitement and awe that we were even there. It felt like the introduction of a new chapter in life.”
The Select Chorale traveled to London as Choir-In-Residence for a festival hosted by Vox Anima London. The centerpiece of the tour was the European premiere of Requiem for Colour, an ambitious work by composer and conductor Jeffrey Ames. The powerful choral piece, performed with full orchestra, traces the experience of enslaved Africans through to the present-day African American story. Glen Cove students Willow Landaverde, Anna Miller, Dakota Rios, and Paloma Supica were featured soloists.
The Chorale opened the festival’s program at Cadogan Hall with a spotlight performance of works by Ola Gjeilo, who accompanied the students live on piano. Their collaboration included a never-before-heard rendition of Northern Lights, performed in front of an international audience.
“These students always make the impossible possible,” said Edward Norris, director of the Glen Cove High School Select Chorale. “But this year has just been simply astounding.”
Norris noted that the students had been preparing for the tour since the first day of rehearsals in September 2024. In the months leading up to the trip, the group performed at several local and regional venues, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and Hofstra University for the NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival. There, the Chorale earned a Level VI Gold Medal with Distinction, the highest rating at the highest level of competition.
“One judge said, ‘This is really tough literature and you are performing at the level of professionals,’” Norris said. “That speaks volumes about the kind of talent and commitment these students bring to every performance.”
The group also delivered a full-length concert at the Holy Sepulchre Church in London, known as the Musicians Church, presenting a 90-minute program of music ranging from the Renaissance to modern-day compositions. Despite jet lag and being awake for more than 34 hours, the students earned a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
“They were amazing in every way,” Norris said. “To perform with Dr. Ames and Mr. Gjeilo was simply mind-blowing. We were in awe of every moment of music-making.”
In between rehearsals and performances, the students explored London’s historic landmarks, including the Tower of London, the London Eye, Greenwich, Parliament, and Big Ben. They also attended The Phantom of the Opera in the West End and took part in a workshop led by cast member Francesca Ellis, who taught the students the music and choreography from “Masquerade.”
“My favorite part of the tour, though, was just spending time with some of the finest humans I have ever worked with,” Norris said. “Whether laughing on the Tube or singing in the streets, it was pure joy. These students are the best — in every way.”
Norris credited the success of the trip to months of dedication, as well as the support of parents, community members, and chaperones who helped make the journey possible.
Ames called the ensemble “dynamic,” and Gjeilo expressed excitement about the rare opportunity to collaborate with such a committed and talented group of students.
