December 3, 2015
K-State Choir students perform in Carnegie Hall
Associate professors of music Julie Yu and Joshua Oppenheim conducted the National Festival Chorus in a sold-out performance of "An Americana Thanksgiving" Friday, Nov. 27, at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Nineteen students from Kansas State University joined with singers from North Carolina and Oklahoma as well as singers from the professional choir Manhattan Chorale in New York. The residency began on Wednesday and concluded with a performance in the famed Carnegie Hall. In addition to the rehearsals and performances, students attended the "Rockette's Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall, watched the Macy's Day Parade, attended Broadway shows and visited various New York City landmarks.
Among the 19 students from K-State, John Ashburn, doctoral student in curriculum and instruction; Stephanie Troyer, junior in music education; and Deanna Richard, sophomore in applied music, were featured soloists who made their Carnegie Hall debut at the performance.
Students Zachary Donley, Kaine Fredrickson, Amanda Henke, Matthew Honas, Molly Jansonius, Morgan Jansonius, Elizabeth Martino, Hannah May, Anna Miller, Ally Morgan, Brittany Motley, Nicholas Overbey, Rebecca Rigsby, Lexi Shealy, Gerit Wagner and Megan Zeman were members of the National Festival Chorus.
This was the second residency conducting the National Festival Chorus in Carnegie Hall that Yu and Oppenheim have led. Providing unique educational opportunities for students to perform with peers and professionals in one of the world's most famous concert halls is hallmark of the excellence represented by the choral program at Kansas State University.