After countless hours of rehearsal and planning, the St. Paul Academy and Summit School Choir and members of Community Chorale and Summit Singers performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Feb. 18. The SPA group was part of a spotlight series with the New England Symphonic Ensemble. They collaborated with youth choirs from Phoenix, Arizona and Jackson, Tennessee. The three chorale groups kicked off the 34th season for MidAmerica Productions.

“The Carnegie Hall trip to New York was definitely something that I will never forget,” said sophomore Mia Litman.

Their performance was divided into three acts. The opening act was conducted by Scott Youngs from Phoenix. The group performed Handel’s Coronation Anthems which included The King Shall Rejoice, My Heart is Inditing, Upon Thy Right Han. Next was the spotlight series for SPA, conduced by Choir Director Anne Klus. The group performed Frostiana: Seven Country Songs. Frostiana was composed by Randall Thompson and is based off of Robert Frost poetry. The final act was a grand performance of Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, both of which were conducted by Giuseppe Lanzetta.

The SPA students also got a chance to explore New York City, from skating in Central Park to seeing the hit Broadway musical Hamilton. 

“My favorite parts were ice skating at Central Park, performing at Carnegie Hall, and the boat ride we had after the show,” Litman said.

Many SPA faculty, staff, and family members made the trip to Carnegie to experience the high quality show by SPA and their fellow performers. The performance ended in a standing ovation from the crowd and was surely a special experience for all those involved.