How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, practice, practice!
It turns out there is another punchline to that legendary question! How did members of the South Main Sanctuary Choir get to Carnegie Hall? We were invited by composer and conductor Heather Sorenson to sing in a 250-person mass choir for the premiere of her new work entitled These Ancient Words.
About seven months ago, Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) reached out to see if South Main would be interested in being a part of this project. I have worked with Heather Sorenson many times before, and I knew this could be an exciting opportunity to travel and share our musical gifts in a unique way. Upon hearing the piece (approximately 30 minutes in length), I was even more intrigued by the idea of sharing “these ancient words” of our faith in such a setting as Carnegie Hall. Commissioned by First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the work progresses through six movements, each a setting of a different Scripture passage.
- Light (John 1:1–14; Genesis 1:1)
- Humility (Micah 6:6–8)
- Refuge (Psalm 46)
- Rest (Matthew 11:28–30)
- Worship (Psalm 96)
- Wisdom (Proverbs 4:1–13)
At the beginning of the work, Sorenson demonstrates the thesis: “In the beginning was the Word,” and the Word of God compels us to share these ancient words about God. Each successive movement contains passages of Scripture that have sustained generations of believers in times of great joy and in times of great trial. She ends the piece with a thematic bookend as a baritone soloist sings a paraphrase from Proverbs 4: “Listen, my child. Receive the words of a father, words to make you stronger, words for life that’s longer.” The words of Scripture are transformative, and we are called to share them from generation to generation.
Members of the South Main Sanctuary Choir were called to share these words with an audience of Carnegie Hall concert-goers, imprinting the message in our own hearts, as well, as we made memories in rehearsals and at various sightseeing opportunities through the city. Members of the traveling group attended Broadway shows, visited museums and churches, explored Central Park, saw the city from the top of the Rockefeller Center, ate delicious food, and went on individual excursions in our free time. Many thanks to all who attended as performers, patrons, and audience members, and for all who prayed for our safe travel and musical witness.
