Day 4 - Evening

Tonight was the culmination of all that we have been working toward for the past year. The students did a great job at the concert, and should be very proud of their efforts throughout this year!

At this concert, there were three different mass choirs performing. Each had been rehearsing in a different location around New York, but all performed together last night. The first part of the concert was a performance of French composer Maurice Durufle's Requiem. Our chorus was second, performing works of Handel, Mozart, Thiman, Thompson, and Bernstein. The last group performed three compositions by Mark Hayes with the composer conducting. It was a very special night of music!

I really wish that I had been able to take pictures of the group on stage, but we were given dire warnings about what would happen to us if we took pictures in Carnegie Hall. Since Carnegie Hall is a union house, there are strict rules regarding photography and recording, and stagehands have been known to permanently confiscate cameras of those who are taking pictures inside the hall. So, I don't have pictures of the group in the hall, but was able to take a picture with the group outside the stage door waiting to go in.

Following the concert, the students raced back to the hotel to change into different attire for our post-concert dinner cruise on the Hudson. The ship departed from Chelsea Piers and sailed down the Hudson.

The first order of business was a gourmet buffet dinner. Students loaded their plates and chowed down.

During the cruise, the students were treated to spectacular views of the New York skyline, including the Statue of Liberty.

Our group also showed off their prowess on the dance floor . . .

. . . but by the end of the night fatigue had taken its toll.

We got back to the pier around 2:00am, but before disembarking we stopped to take a group picture with our conductor for the past few days.

As soon as we got back to dock, we headed straight for the bus back to the hotel to rest for our journey later this morning. We are all looking forward to getting home, but are also proud of the job that we accomplished here in New York!