OTC Choir set for Carnegie Hall

The joke goes something like this:

Question: “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”

Answer: “Practice.”

The OTC Concert Choir has done plenty of practicing and as a result, about a dozen members will perform with other collegiate choirs in Carnegie Hall this spring.

“It’s a blessing,” said Kathryn Cole, director of the OTC choirs.

It will be the second-straight year OTC will be represented on the national stage.

Last spring, the colleges vocal ensembles were invited to participate in the Distinguished Concerts International New York Concert Series.

During that visit, the choirs performed in Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center.

This trip is again put on by the Distinguished Concerts organization, but this time, the choirs will sing two pieces in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.

The concert is entitled “The Drop of Dawn” and is composed by Christopher Tin, the hall’s composer in residence.

The two selections the choir will sing are “Calling All Dawns” and “The Drop that Contained the Sea.”

Cole said the invitation is a reward for the hard work the choir put in.

“We have a high turnover in the choir because we are a two-year institution but some students stay on several semesters because they don’t want to leave,” she said. “There are students who have said they wouldn’t have graduated if not for the choir.”

Cole said last year’s trip allowed students to have a change to perform with others from all over the country.

“The students get to see how what they have talent-wise stacks up to others,” she said. “They are challenged by those at a higher level. It is an artistic refreshment for me.”

Cole said the students will have to raise money for the trip that will take place April 10-14. The concert is April 13 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Fund-raising activities will be announced later in the year. Those who want to contribute directly can contact Cole at colek@otc.edu.

The choirs will be performing its Christmas concert at the Springfield Art Museum Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.