Chorale to perform at Carnegie

The young vocalists of Augusta Children's Chorale will perform soon in perhaps America's most venerated venue -- Carnegie Hall.

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Performing as part of the Field Studies International Choral Festival, 40 of the chorale's 44 members, 24 of whom reside in Columbia County, will sing March 2 at the famed New York concert hall.

Since it was founded in 1991 by executive director Linda Bradberry, Augusta Children's Chorale has performed in Prague, Czech Republic; Disney World; Germany; Hawaii; Washington, D.C.; and twice at Carnegie Hall.

On this trip, though, it is the featured choir.

"We've been twice before, but we've never been the featured choir, and that's what makes it a notch above what's going on," Bradberry said.

Event organizers chose the group based on its recorded performances of the past two years, Bradberry said.

The significance of the honor is one that will remain with the vocalists the rest of their lives, she said.

"The history of Carnegie Hall and the people who have gone before us goes with performing there," Bradberry said. "There is something overwhelming when you enter that building. It kind of sweeps down over you and washes you with all that history."

A trip to New York doesn't come cheap.

It will cost each performer about $1,400 to take part, chorale business manager Gayle Crawford said.

To help offset the cost, children have held such fund-raisers as selling poinsettias and cookie dough. Recently, the Columbia County Commission donated $2,500 for the trip.

Still, the expense pales when compared to the en-richment of the experience, Crawford said.

"Just to be able to say, 'I sang at Carnegie Hall,' is amazing," she said.