Glen Cove student musicians will perform in UK festival
Thirty-six talented students who sing in the Glen Cove High School Select Chorale will travel to London to perform in one of the world’s most prestigious concert series next spring. In collaboration with Vox Anima London, the chorale will have the honor of headlining a series of performances, including the world premiere of a major work by renowned composer and conductor Jeffrey Ames.
“I am thrilled that our Glen Cove High School Vocal Music students were selected to participate in this remarkable authentic arts experience abroad,” Lawrence M. Nadel, the school district’s coordinator of fine and performing arts, wrote in a statement. “This opportunity is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our music program students and faculty in the Fine and Performing Arts department.”
Unlike other groups that will perform in the series, the Select Choral was invited to attend, meaning that it bypassed a rigorous application process. It will take part in the world premiere of Ames’s “Requiem for Colour.” The piece, which celebrates global diversity, will feature a full orchestra and choir, and the Select Chorale will be front and center as the choir-in-residence for the event. Performing such a significant work in London’s renowned Cadogan Hall is a unique honor, one that few high school choirs receive. For the Glen Cove students, it’s an opportunity to contribute to a powerful musical statement about unity and cultural heritage, something that will resonate with them for years to come.
In addition, the students will have the rare opportunity to collaborate with Ola Gjeilo, one of the world’s most respected living composers. Their spotlight concert will feature several of Gjeilo’s works, with the composer himself accompanying the choir on piano. According to Edward Norris, director of the Select Chorale, performing with such a renowned artist will be an unforgettable experience for the students.
“It’s not every day you get to perform music with the person who wrote it, especially on such a prestigious stage,” Norris said. “We will be changed musicians when we get back.”
“We’re going to meet singers from Belgium, Spain, France and other parts of the world,” Norris said. “For our students to be exposed to that kind of diversity at such a young age is priceless. It’s an experience they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives. These interactions will help the students develop a broader worldview, and build relationships with other young musicians who share their passion for the arts.”
While the students will enjoy some sightseeing as well, including walking tours of London and a visit to the West End to see a show, the focus of the trip is clear: It’s a “business trip,” as Norris calls it. The students will spend hours rehearsing, perfecting their performance for the festival’s grand concert.
“This is about representing our community and our school at the highest level,” Norris said. “The students will be changed musicians when they return.”
Needless to say, preparing for this extraordinary experience comes with financial challenges. The total cost of the trip is just over $122,000, and fundraising efforts are already underway. A sound meditation fundraiser will be held on Sept. 22, at the North Country Reform Temple in Glen Cove, with tickets priced at $48. All proceeds from the event will help the students cover their travel expenses. Additional fundraisers, including the annual Thanksgiving pie sale in partnership with White Post Farms, and various benefit concerts are planned throughout the year to support the students as they prepare for the trip.
“We’ve been working hard since the school year started, and we’ll continue to put in the effort necessary to be at our best,” Norris said.
For more information, or to make a donation to support the students, contact Edward Norris at enorris@glencoveschools.org.
