The Cherokee High School concert choir has had a busy year, but all its practice and hard work came to fruition on March 7 when the group got on a bus, headed to New York City and performed onstage in front of a live audience at world famous Carnegie Hall.
Cherokee High School Choral Director Nicole Snodgrass said it was a really intense two months of practice just preparing for that one night, but there are a lot of opportunities like Carnegie Hall if the kids in the choir are at a high enough level.
“They have been on a really intense musical path,” Snodgrass said. “It speaks to their work ethic.“
The event came about through Snodgrass sending a recording of the choir into a company that facilitates performances like the Carnegie Hall event. She said she’s always looking for unique, unusual places for the choir to perform.
“I was looking for them to perform in a big, famous venue and you don’t get bigger than Carnegie Hall,” Snodgrass said.
Once the company deemed the choir worthy of performing at one of the world’s most famous venues, Snodgrass said it was right to work preparing. Each student also had the responsibility of selling a certain number of tickets, but Snodgrass said that was no problem given the kids’ talents and where they would be performing.
“I always tell the kids you should go about your life like on an interview or date,” Snodgrass said. “You have to have the confidence and belief that you are worthy.”
The choir performed alongside another choir and three different bands, so the Cherokee choir had to have its entire routine timed and planned out, down to the smallest detail. It performed both classic and contemporary songs.
“They even ask how long you think the applause will take between songs,” Snodgrass said. “They’re very regimented at Carnegie Hall.”
Snodgrass said the group was incredibly fortunate to be able to perform on a Friday night in New York City.
“One of the coolest musical moments of my life was watching everyone in Carnegie Hall give you a standing ovation,” Snodgrass said. “It was intense.”
The students were awed to just go through the same entrances, hallways and dressing rooms that so many talented and famous people have used before them.
“The one thing I will say is that when you’re in that situation, it’s very difficult not to take pause and think of those that have come before you,” Snodgrass said.
Snodgrass said that she tries to inspire the students, and when they perform so well it inspires her in turn.
“It’s really inspiring to be with people who are as passionate as you are,” Snodgrass said.
Before Carnegie Hall, the group also recently performed 20 songs as part of a holiday concert for guests touring the White House.
“It’s pretty shocking when you open your email and it’s from the White House,” Snodgrass said.
After that event, the choir also received high praise from White House visitors and even those who worked there.
“After they performed, there were phones calls in the other offices saying they’d better get those kids back,” Snodgrass said.
Looking toward the future, Snodgrass said the kids don’t have time to rest now since they have to prepare for the Cherokee Choirs & Concert Choir Spring Choral Concert on June 4.
“It’s been a really good year,” Snodgrass said. “It has.”
