“Get us to Carnegie Hall” was the mandate Dr. Diane Orlofsky heard from Troy University Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins Jr. when the new John Maloy Long Hall was dedicated three years ago.
“The Chancellor laid his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘we’ve built this space–now get us to Carnegie Hall,’” she recalls.
That’s exactly what she’s done with the University’s Concert Chorale. The performance group is headed to New York City’s Carnegie Hall in 2018, and will premiere a new multi-movement work by conductor and composer Eric William Barnum. The TROY choral group will present its recently commissioned piece “Evensong” as well as several other arrangements in connection with the Distinguished Concert International New York’s performance of “The Music of Eric Barnum.”
“Being invited to perform in Carnegie Hall is a tremendous honor,” Orlofsky said. “It truly is a benchmark for the University and for our choral program. The opportunity to have our students work with Barnum and to perform in one of the world’s greatest concert halls, which itself represents excellence and musical achievement, is a privilege and a thrilling opportunity.”
The concert, set for May 25, 2018 in the Isaac Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall, involves a select group of invited ensembles to perform the Barnum program, under his direction,” said Jonathan Griffith, artistic director and principal conductor at DCINY.
“The Troy University Concert Chorale received this invitation because of the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers as well as the exceptional recommendation given by Dr. Eric Barnum,” he said.
The singers will spend five days and four nights in New York City, spending each afternoon in rehearsal for the DCINY performance. The TROY students will also use the opportunity to explore other performance venues, in addition to taking in cultural events and meeting with TROY area alumni.
“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 their entire community,” Griffith said. “This is an event of extreme pride for everybody and deserving of the community’s recognition and support.”
Finding support is just what Orlofsky has her sights set on. To defray the costs of travel and lodging, the Concert Chorale members have launched a fund-raising drive to cover the estimated $55,000 it will take to cover the total costs of the performance.
“The students are very excited about the invitation, and the chance to perform in the nation’s premier music hall is an unbelievable opportunity for them,” she said. “They’re ‘all-in’ for raising funds for the trip and we vowed to leave no singer behind.”
A fund drive is under way. To make a financial contribution, please make checks payable to the Troy University Foundation and mail them to Orlofsky at John M. Long School of Music, Long Hall, Troy University, Troy, AL 36082. Online contributions may be made at donate.troy.edu/Troy_Annual_Giving.
