Carnegie Hall

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When the students first arrive at Carnegie Hall the grandeur of it all hushes their voices to a whisper. Their bodies are energized with the knowledge of the fun they will have soon. We take our seats, lucky to have arrived early and gotten the first few rows in front of the stage.

 "We'll be able to see everything!" exclaims one student. As we wait there are word scrambles and music trivia on the screen. Students delightedly tell one another their answers and then yell them as one to the screen, cheering with a great "whoop" when they are correct.

 Soon the grand master of ceremonies enters and the students whisper his name to one another. He's famous to them, a rock star so to speak, they hear his voice and see him all year long in their practice for this day.

 As the 30 minute show begins, the orchestra introduces itself by warming up each section. The voices of the singers joins them, as do the students. In this 30 minutes the students will sing, will play their recorders, will laugh and cheer. They will hear a song from an opera, dance with a Brazilian percussion ensemble and see dancers perform the Can-Can. It is a thrilling adventure.

 The students spend the bus ride home sharing their favorite parts. It is a memory making trip!



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