Cameron High Jazz Choir to perform at
Carnegie Hall
March 5, 2008
by Ray Scherer
CAMERON, Mo. - Helen Farnan is proud that
her grandson soon will sing among other students at Carnegie Hall.
Mrs. Farnan may not be able to travel to
New York City with the Cameron High School Jazz Choir next week, but that
doesn't diminish the joy she plans to share with Derek French.
"It's quite an honor for the kids and for
Cameron," she said.
Sponsor Brian Von Glahn said the choir is
scheduled to perform March 16 at the world-famous venue with 200 other
students. An anonymous supporter paved the way to an invitation from the
Distinguished Concerts International New York series for the 25-member choir.
"We didn't submit anything," Mr. Von Glahn
said. "It was all recommendation-based."
Dr. Richard Weymuth, who taught music at
Northwest Missouri State University for more than 20 years, will conduct the
combined choirs from Oregon, New Jersey, Kansas and other states.
The concert will feature Haydn's "Missa
Sancti Nicolai in G Major" and Joseph M. Martin's "The Awakening." The
performance also will include students from Kearney High School, Mr. Von Glahn
said.
The Cameron students are $1,000 short of a
$36,000 goal to fund the trip. Families of the students have provided part of
the money, but fundraisers also have been key. A chili supper and a performance
by the ensemble raised $1,200 and a "Broadway Nights" musical revue and dinner
supplied $5,500.
Two private firms are likely to help with
final donations after the students return, he said. The students also have
received assistance from the region as well as from Cameron itself.
"The community's been really supportive,"
Mr. Von Glahn said.
Two members say they've always hoped to
perform at Carnegie Hall and that the school's reputation boosted the choir's
invitation late last year.
"I'm pretty overwhelmed," said Morgan Bradford.
"We've had amazing choirs."
The students will have time between
rehearsals to see "Phantom of the Opera" and visit the Hard Rock Cafe, Morgan
said.
Billy Steinman said students from all walks
of life at the school help form the choir.
"It's basically one big family," he said.
The choir will leave by bus March 12 for
temporary quarters in New Jersey.
The DCINY program promotes performances by
high school and college choirs and orchestras.
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