Group still $30,000 short of needed funds for Carnegie Hall performance
By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
Preparation has already paved the way to a big opportunity for Granite Hills High School’s chamber singers’ choir.
Last April, the 38-student ensemble was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City after receiving a Gold rating at the WorldStrides Heritage Performance Festival competition in Las Vegas. The organization is a leading provider of educational student travel that creates life-changing trips for students of all ages to destinations around the globe, according to its website, www.ws.educationaltravel.com.
If all goes as planned, the Granite Hills choir will join a number of other U.S.-based choral groups March 13 to 16 for a classical music concert at the prestigious venue. According to choir director Shane Churchill, there’s only one thing standing in the way of his students realizing their dream: cold, hard cash.
“We’ve done quite a few fundraisers but still have money to raise,” said Churchill. “That being said, the outlook is positive and I believe this is going to happen.”
According to Camille Gonzales, Spanish teacher and assistant director of the school’s choir, the cost of going to Carnegie Hall is $70,000. Although Gonzales said the group has received many generous donations from local businesses, service clubs and individuals, it still needs to raise around $30,000 for the trip.
“When word got out that the choir needed money to go to New York, people started sending us money,” said Gonzales. “It’s been so wonderful to know we have that kind of support and also to see the coming together of our community in this way.”
Gonzales said the choir has a few more fundraisers planned and its members will continue to do whatever they can to get the money together for their trip. In recent months, they have been selling seat cushions, flowers and deep-fried Oreos at football games.
Additionally, Gonzales said some of the parents of the choir members have been depositing money into their travel fund.
“We’re counting on the bulk of what we raise to come from parent donations,” Gonzales said. “But we have quite a few students whose parents just can’t afford it. At this point, were just praying that we’ll meet our mark.”
Despite the choir’s financial challenges, the singers continue to practice and prepare for the trip of a lifetime. No matter how things turn out, Churchill said he couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.
“When my students have a goal in sight, they work very well toward achieving it together,” said Churchill. “They really remind me of a sports team in that way where there is so much camaraderie. I believe they can do anything they set their minds to.”
For those who wish to make a donation to the chamber singers’ choir, contact Churchill at 760-961-2290, ext. 2411.