Photo by groupphotos.com

The Cardinal Chorale, along with director Bill Gokelman, performed in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall on Nov. 28.

MidAmerica Productions, a New York concert production company, approached Gokelman, a music professor at UIW, in December 2009 about the possibility of having the Cardinal Chorale sing solo in Carnegie Hall. The group submitted an audition CD, and a week later, the Cardinal Chorale received an invitation to perform.

Then began the long process of fundraising. Between student contributions, fundraising events, individual donations and help from UIW, the students raised $110,000, enough to send 60 students to New York.

“I’m thrilled that our students will be singing, solo, in one of the world’s great musical venues. It will completely change their lives, strengthen their confidence and broaden their perspectives,” Gokelman said before their performance.

The Chorale performed in the Isaac Stern Auditorium on the Ronald O. Perelman Stage in Carnegie Hall.  Since its opening in 1891, this has been the premier classical music performance space in the United States showcasing the world’s greatest soloists, conductors and ensembles.  The auditorium’s renowned acoustics have made it a favorite of audiences and performers alike.