The Kimball Wiles Elementary School Wildcats Chorus recently returned from a trip to New York City that included their performance at Carnegie Hall.

The students and their music teacher/director, Carrie Olson, performed with top youth ensembles from across the United States as part of the Manhattan Concert Productions (MCP) Festival Youth Series. Nationally-renowned guest choral conductor Emily Ellsworth led the ensemble in the performance for the MCP festival concert entitled “LUX.”

This marked the third performance by the Wiles Elementary Chorus at Carnegie Hall since 2017. Chorus members included Chelsea Zou, Tessa Traum, Jacoby Rasher, Juniper Parker, Jaime Alford and Claire Olson.

The performance repertoire featured a diverse array of musical styles and languages, including Macedonian, Latin and some Portuguese. Following an audition that included 50 students ranging from elementary to high school seniors, Parker, a fifth grader at Wiles Elementary, was selected to perform in a small ensemble on Haydn’s “Regina coeli” during the concert.

“The students embraced the challenge of this repertoire with enthusiasm, demonstrating their versatility and commitment through diligent rehearsal,” said Carrie Olson in a press release.

The Wiles students were in the audience for performances by Reddam House Umhlanga College Choir from South Africa and the Masterwork Festival Chorus with the NYC Chamber Orchestra.

While in New York City, the students explored historic and cultural sites, including the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. They also watched the Broadway musical “Wicked.” “It was an honor for the students to perform on the stage and in the hall revered as a sacred space by musicians worldwide,” Carrie Olson said. “This trip will shape their appreciation for music and cultural exchange for years to come.”