Community chorus prepares for big show in NY

How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Practice. And fundraising. (Bake sale scheduled for Saturday.)
http://www.eagletimes.com/news/2015-11-11/Front_Page/Community_chorus_prepares_for_big_show_in_NY.html

Community chorus prepares for big show in NY Bake sale fundraiser scheduled for Saturday By Cameron Paquette cameronp@eagletimes.com Chorus Director Kenneth Olsson (right foreground) plays a portion of Mozart's "Requiem" on piano as the Springfield Community Chorus practice the piece before they sing it at Carnegie Hall in New York City in February. — CAMERON PAQUETTE Chorus Director Kenneth Olsson (right foreground) plays a portion of Mozart's "Requiem" on piano as the Springfield Community Chorus practice the piece before they sing it at Carnegie Hall in New York City in February. — CAMERON PAQUETTE SPRINGFIELD — How does one get to Carnegie Hall? Practice. And fundraising. That’s exactly what the Springfield Community Chorus is doing as it prepares for its moment in the spotlight at Carnegie Hall in February. Of the 40-45 member chorus, 24 will be making the journey to New York City to sing Mozart’s “Requiem" at what is one of the most prestigious classical music venues in the world. “[It’s] their dedication,” said chorus director Kenneth Olsson. “Everyone here is not only a good musician — they’re here because they love it.” On June 3, Olsson received a letter from the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) asking him and the chorus to perform Mozart’s “Requiem” on Feb. 15, 2016 — President’s Day Weekend — as part of the DCINY Concert Series at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Since then, the group has been practicing once a week to perfect the piece. The group estimates it could cost up to $1,500 per person for food, lodging and travel expenses during the five-day residency, and hopes to make up the difference in fundraising. In order to raise funds for the trip, the chorus is holding a bake sale on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Shaw’s supermarket in Springfield from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. DCINY reached out to the chorus after a member of the organization viewed a video on Youtube of the chorus singing “Requiem.” The organization liked the chorus’ rendition of the piece so much, they sent a letter to Olsson expressing “excitement about the prospect” of including the Springfield Community Chorus at the 2016 concert. “The Springfield Community Chorus received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers and high quality of their audition recording. It is quite an honor just to be invited to perform in New York. These wonderful musicians not only represent a high quality of music and education, but they also become ambassadors for the entire community. This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support,” said Dr. Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor for DCINY in a release. Olsson and the chorus were both surprised and honored in equal measure to have received the invitation. “What a shot in the arm for [DCINY] to find us,” said Olsson. “There’s so much on Youtube and to come across us [is incredible].” It’s been more than two years since the video that got them the opportunity at CarnegThe Springfield Community Chorus poses for a picture at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield, where the group is practicing once a week for a show in New York City at Carnegie Hall in February. — CAMERON PAQUETTE The Springfield Community Chorus poses for a picture at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield, where the group is practicing once a week for a show in New York City at Carnegie Hall in February. — CAMERON PAQUETTE ie was made, and one-third of the chorus has changed since then. According to Olsson, the talent is there, its just a matter of learning and perfecting the piece. “Luckily we have until February,” said Olsson, who feels that the chorus is progressing nicely. “[The chorus is] open to any of the ideas I throw out," said Olsson. "I’m a teacher. I love to see people take steps forward.”