In August of 2015, Pearl River Central High and Middle School choir director Debbie Wolfe received an invitation that would offer a number of choir students the chance of a lifetime, to perform on stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
It began with a Facebook message from Christopher Olin, chair of music education at the University of Oregon and artistic director of Choirs of America, Wolfe said.
“He had been talking to other choir directors around the state and members of the Mississippi Music Educators Association. He told me he had heard about the quality of our program,” Wolfe said. “And that they wanted us to participate in the concert in New York.”
According to the Choirs of America’s website, the group seeks to increase the quality of choral music education and experience by hosting invitationals and festivals.
The Choral Convergence Festival will be held in New York City at Carnegie Hall April 21-24, Wolfe said. The students will receive their music when they get there. They will then rehearse and perform on stage with choir students from across the country. They will also get to sightsee in the Big Apple.
The trip pertains to the high school’s concert group, Wolfe said. The concert group, Sounds of PRC, is made up of members from either of the two choir groups at the school, Central Attraction and the all-female group, Illumination, she said.
Since the students have yet to receive their music, they are preparing for their trip through fundraising, Wolfe said. The cost per student is $1,600.
“They sent out sponsor forms to family and friends,” she said. “We are also hosting a Valentines fundraiser, selling ads for our program book and selling items from Simply Sheets. We also have future projects lined up.”
Anyone wishing to donate or sponsor the trip can mail their donations to Debbie Wolfe, Pearl River Central High School, 7407 Highway 11 North, Carriere, MS 39426.
Wolfe, who has been choir director since 2007, said this is the first time a group from the school has been invited to participate in the festival.
“When we were first invited I was thrilled,” Wolfe said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and very exciting. I’ve always dreamed of performing in Carnegie Hall and now my students will. I’m elated to have this opportunity for my students.”