It was July 2022, an ordinary first-night-back-to-rehearsal for the Fuquay-Varina Chorale—introductions, passing out new music, and previewing some new songs. Ordinary, that is, until Maggie Cook, Artistic Director of the Fuquay-Varina Chorale, asked us to stay after for an important announcement.
No one expected what she was about to tell us; her announcement could not have been more surprising. She informed the group that the Fuquay-Varina Chorale had been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City. We would join a group from the Campbell University Choir, a group from the Willow Springs High School Chorus, the Deep River Singers, and the Winders Ensemble to make a choir of 100 strong.
After Maggie’s surprising announcement, those going to Carnegie Hall from the Fuquay-Varina Chorale spun into a storm of activity. There were several challenging pieces to be learned. The concert would be in three parts:
Part One, “Poulenc: Gloria,” accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble and conducted by Dr. Phillip J. Morrow, Director of Choral Activities at Campbell University and Associate Professor of Music at Campbell University as well as co-minister of music at Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek.
Part Two, “The Spirit of America,’’ five uplifting patriotic pieces: “Lift Every Voice,” “Armed Forces—The Pride of America,” “America the Beautiful,” “I Dream a World,” and “Homeland,” conducted by Maestro Jeremy Tucker, Artistic Director of the Raleigh Youth Choir, Director of Arts Education for Durham Public Schools, and President of the NC Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Part Three, Symphony No. 6 in F Major Op.68 “Pastoral” performed by the New England Symphonic Ensemble under the direction of conductor Peter Tiboris, General and Music Director of Mid-America Productions; after which, the Choir, seated in groups of four in the audience, would stand and close the program with Mozart’s hymn, “Ave Verum Corpus.”
Maggie wisely integrated a few of the beautiful patriotic songs we were to sing at Carnegie Hall into our patriotic-themed 2023 spring concert. But there was plenty of other music to learn, and several pieces to memorize. “Poulenc: Gloria,” a six-movement, 32-page piece in Latin text stretched our skills and, at first, seemed daunting, not only requiring us to learn the challenging musical score, but also the precise pronunciation of the Latin words.
The group practiced twice a week with Maggie and had special rehearsals with our Carnegie Hall conductors, Dr. Phillip Morrow and Maestro Jeremy Tucker. Outside of formal practice, we practiced in small groups. And each of us practiced daily on our own, listening to pronunciation and music tracks. We practiced until many of us began to startle awake at night singing “Gloria”! By the time we got to Carnegie Hall, our love and appreciation for not only “Poulenc: Gloria,” but the entire program of music had grown; it had meshed into our souls.
Also, there were funds to be raised, and the Fuquay-Varina community—friends, neighbors, relatives, community service organizations, and businesses—pulled together to help send the Chorale to Carnegie Hall. They bought poinsettias, azaleas, raffle tickets, coupon books, and burgers at Culvers. They brought their Christmas presents to be wrapped by Chorale members, donated gift cards and merchandise, and made generous monetary contributions. Even extra-special deluxe music folders were gifted to the Carnegie-bound Chorale singers.
On July 8, 2023, at 7 p.m. the singers from Fuquay-Varina took the Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, on which the likes of Tchaikovsky, George Gershwin, Judy Garland, and The Beatles have performed, the finest of every genre throughout the years since 1891. It is an astounding experience to look out into the elegant Isaac Stern Auditorium at the five curved levels of seating that embrace the stage, seating for close to three thousand, one of the most prestigious venues in the world for music. But deeper than that, there is the reward of accomplishment—that this group of people who love to sing and share the joy of music had worked diligently, risen to the challenge, and were now prepared to present this extraordinary music and to do it justice.
I invited Maggie Cook to share her thoughts on the Fuquay-Varina Chorale’s journey.
When the Fuquay-Varina Chorale was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, I was thrilled, but never anticipated the journey that awaited us. The invitation came from Maestro Jeremy Tucker, who happens to be a former student of mine. What a life-affirming honor it was to sing under his baton!
This invitation, which came in July 2022, sparked a whirlwind of teamwork like I have never seen. Thirty-eight singers, plus myself, registered for the event. Then, through massive fundraising led by an amazing committee and working hand-in-hand with Maureen Daly, Director of the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, and the Friends of the Arts Center, we made our arrangements in NY and raised thousands of dollars to help with expenses.
There were many twists and turns on our journey. When the repertoire changed and more costs were added, we were apprehensive. But we all worked together to make this the best possible experience.
Other than the actual concert, I think one of my favorite things was seeing the faces of the singers when they entered Carnegie Hall for the first time. It is an impressive space. Most of them never dreamed they would ever go there, much less perform there. My heart is full of gratitude for everyone who had even a small part on this journey. My heart is filled with pride for the 38 people who reached for a star, grabbed it and held on tight. We have great memories! Now, we look forward to our Holiday Harmony concert on December 1 and 2 with our entire chorus of 70 strong.
I am beyond honored to call myself the Artistic Director of the Fuquay-Varina Chorale.
I also asked Dr. Phillip Morrow how it happened that he would be conducting “Poulenc: Gloria” for this concert at Carnegie Hall. He relates: “MidAmerica Productions, which produces classical concerts, has a concert series every year, and they staff it by recruiting conductors. . . educators, composers, or choral conductors. The conductors are supposed to bring their own groups or pull together a larger group to do a larger work.” An acquaintance from his former college teaching days who is now working for MidAmerica Productions contacted him and asked if he would be interested in conducting at Carnegie Hall. “Who would say no to that?” he asks.
MidAmerica Productions gave him a list of works they were interested in having performed, and “Poulenc: Gloria” was on that list. He had performed this piece in graduate school, and it made an impression on him.
To prepare his group, he relates: “We had a Palm Sunday choir April 5, so we programmed the “Poulenc: Gloria” with the sole purpose of learning it; and having worked on the piece for 3½ months, it was a fine performance.” But a larger group was needed to perform this work at Carnegie Hall and joining together with singers from the Fuquay-Varina Chorale and other groups made up the numbers required.
He adds: “I would say, it is a bucket list item, the chance to walk out on that stage, historic as it is. Really, I am equally excited about a beautiful and wonderful piece of music that has been around for about one hundred years, and the chance to perform it with students and friends . . . I would say, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hopefully, as singers, we like to be stretched. Hopefully we will do it justice, I think we will.”
Comments from a few of the Fuquay-Varina Chorale’s Carnegie Hall singers on this unique experience:
Janet Eagan: Though I am a native New Yorker and have seen all the famous sights, the inside of Carnegie Hall was not one of them. When I walked into that concert hall for dress rehearsal, my heart grew five sizes. All I could think about was all the talent that has walked into that hall over the years, and how wonderfully blessed I am to have had the opportunity to perform on that stage. I have learned on this journey that is my life, that God puts opportunities in my path all the time, and it’s for a reason: to learn, grow and to simply experience joy. The beauty of the hall, the amazing sound in that space, the joy of blending 100 voices with an amazing orchestra, the privilege of working with such talented conductors. When I reflect, the memory of this experience will continue to warm my heart and remind me of what a beautiful ride this life is.
Carol Everett: Even though I’ve sung in school, church, and community choirs for over fifty years, the idea of Carnegie Hall was so out of the realm of possibility, it never even made my bucket list. To sing where so many greats have performed was magical!
Judy Allard: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for sure! I was proud to represent Fuquay-Varina and to share this experience with such an amazing group of singers who clearly love bringing the joy of music to our community.
Flora Pinkham: [To prepare,] I watched lots of YouTube videos and met with sopranos outside of choir. It was an unexpected blessing, I never anticipated all of this; I am still trying to soak it all in.
Bert Kisak: We spent a lot of hours singing and memorizing. I’m very excited and thrilled, and I’m looking forward to testing all of our voices in this professional venue.
Courtney Fergen: I downloaded the songs and listened to them in the car anytime I was driving. This opportunity has been beyond my wildest dreams. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity. I recently moved to Fuquay-Varina from Holly Springs. It is cool to represent Fuquay-Varina, to be a member of the town now.
Amanda Barbulescu: I can sum up my Carnegie experience in three words: Pride, friendship, and fun!
Nancy Babson: What an honor it was performing with our Chorale and other choirs at the renowned Carnegie Hall. I felt in awe as we walked into the glorious hall for our dress rehearsal. To sing with a fifty-member orchestra was amazing! Singing a prayer in Latin from within the audience was a wonderful way to conclude the concert. I’ll always be grateful for the numerous people who supported our endeavor.
Christi Bemister: This was an unknown bucket list item, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I got to put this on my bucket list and check it off at the same time.
Alicia Furlan: Who knew when I moved to Fuquay-Varina eight years ago that I would find this chorale community (family, really) and travel to New York City to sing at THE Carnegie Hall? Surreal. Amazing. A dream I never knew I had. Learning our music was challenging and took hours and hours of practice, but in the end, it was so rewarding. After our performance, all I could think was, “We did it!”
DeLinda Gladstone: I was overwhelmed with excitement. To stand on the stage where many well-known performers have stood before me. The acoustics, the beauty, the magnitude of such an iconic place must be experienced to truly appreciate it. Thirty-nine of us got our music and immediately started learning the notes and rhythm patterns, then met twice a week to work on blend and tone. Maggie helped us “feel” the music to present it at its best. Then the day came when we took airplanes, trains, and cars to head to the “Big Apple.” We rehearsed more to hone our presentation with excellence and some trepidation. Then we walked on stage to a full audience and opened our mouths to begin the concert. The anticipation, the work, and then it was a memory. But what a wonderful memory. To be in the company of such talented singers and real friends was a blessing. A blessing I am truly thankful for.
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After the concert, several of the Carnegie singers took the night harbor cruise offered by MidAmerica Productions. The New York City skyline at night was an impressive display. But the highlight of the cruise was the majestic Statue of Liberty, lit up in all its glory, a symbol of, among other things, opportunity—which is truly fitting as we reflect on the opportunity provided a group of small-southern-town singers to work hard, to achieve, and to sing where the great have sung..
