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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 2001)
The long hours spent on busses and planes and an incon venience in an elevator were small prices to pay for the University Singers Choir for a chance to per form at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The choir’s trip to New York City was one of its most important performances to date in its mem bos’signing careers. Choir members spent Jan. Il ls in New York. They performed at die Carnegie on Jan. 14. “Just being there, given the chance to sing is an honor and awesome experience,” said Kara Sunderman, a junior broadcast ing major Levels of accomplishment vary between University Singers students. Until the Carnegie Hall trip, many singers’ counted their biggest performance as a statewide tour last year. One, Deanna Meyler, sang at the Vatican. Among all the times they’ve performed together, most singers said the Carnegie trip offered them the best opportunity for bonding. Backstage, singers beamed with excitement about their soon to-be Carnegie debut “When you’re prepared, you're more excited than nervous - and we knew we were ready,” said Kari Touchatt, a music graduate stu dent The half-hour performance included Rachmaninoff’s, "Praise the Name of the Lord,” and “Domine ‘Labia Me Aperies,” by Oriando di Lasso. Students and audience mem bers described the performance as “fabulous” and “so enjoyable.” Choir members attributed their success at Carnegie Hall to I Nate Wagnec/DN Choral Director Peter Ekkind leads the University singers rehearsal at Carnegie Hall prior to their performance the night of Sunday, Jan. 14th. the hard work they put in during die semester. The choir prepared an entire semester and spent eight hours rehearsing in New York City with Hoffstra University and the New York Chamber Orchestra before the performance. Director of Choral Affairs Peter Eklund described the perform ance as “awesome” and “very rewarding.” "The professional orchestra was incredibly complimentary,” he said. After performing, the University Singers enjoyed being audience members in Carnegie Hall - clapping and laughing in amazement at the Marble Community Gospel Choir's per formance. When they arrived in New York, choir members knew two things: Sunday night was their night to sing, but before that, they had three full days to explore New York City. Students found colorful ways to spend their money and time, including seeing an array of Broadway musicals, taking in a broadcasting of die "Daily Show” with Jon Stewart or a taping of die “Late Show,” with David Letterman. They visited the historic Ellis Island and Empire State Building, walked around China Town, Greenwich Village, 5 th Avenue and Central Park. Not to mention the few who waited by the stage to get Miss Saigon’s autograph. The entire weekend didn’t go off without a hitch, though: Four choir members got stuck in a hotel elevator for about 15 minutes. Fortunately, they were rescued - the elevator started working again - before their date at Carnegie. But despite that setback, singers, parents, chaperons and reporter alike arrived in New York City ready to “Do New York” and share in the singers’ joy as they performed on the Carnegie stage. But after a few days surround ed by skyscrapers, cement and frantic traffic, Allison Swope was looking forward to being around “green trees and stuff” again back in Lincoln. i