The Highlands Youth Ensemble, the premier mixed choir (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) of the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy announces its return to Carnegie Hall for two concerts in June.
Artistic Director, Jane DeLoach Morison says, “It is such an honor to take our wonderful singers to perform in this world-famous venue. This will be the fourth time the Highlands Youth Ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall (2006, 2010, 2016, 2026), and this will be the second time we have performed a solo ‘spotlight’ concert. Our repertoire explores the theme of the ‘promised land’ with selections by Rosephanye Powell, Thomas Tallis, Daniel Gawthrop, Jennifer Lucy Cook and others. In addition to our solo concert, we will join other choirs in performing ‘Illuminare’ by Elaine Hagenberg, under the baton of Dr. Derrick Fox. It will be such an amazing opportunity for our singers to perform both as the Highlands Youth Ensemble and in conjunction with other wonderful choirs. In addition to our Carnegie Hall concerts Monday, June 8, we will perform at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine Saturday, June 6.
“The Highlands Youth Ensemble was chosen to perform their spotlight concert after submitting recordings to a panel of judges, and I just got the news that we are first on the program June 8.”
Some of the singers have shared what this trip means to them:
“It’s truly an honor to be able to sing in the most famous concert hall in America. So many singers and instrumentalists have come before us, performing the most beautiful music, and I hope to follow their example,” says T.Rex Meredith.
“Performing at Carnegie is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m so excited to share the experience with my HYE Family,” says Amandine Regin.
“This experience, performing on America’s most iconic stage, is an incredible opportunity as a homeschooler from our little corner of Tennessee. MECCA has changed everything for me. I am truly blessed,” says A.J. Darlington.
“Being given this opportunity to perform somewhere as iconic as Carnegie Hall is simply a dream come true for me. Growing up, going to and performing in New York City was my greatest aspiration. Now I am actually going, and it is even more of an honor that I get to go with this incredible choir. I am forever grateful for the Highlands Youth Ensemble and so, so blessed to be a part of this trip,” says Sofia Belcher.
Before they left for their New York City tour, the Highlands Youth Ensemble performed all of their repertoire in concert at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tennessee. They will also perform selections at the MECCA spring concert May 2, 7:30 p.m., at the Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol, Tennessee, and at a “Bon Voyage” Concert, June 1, 7:30 p.m., at Central Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Virginia.
