ASU Chorale, San Angelo Chorus perform at Carnegie Hall

DISCLAIMER: This is a news article contributed by an independent writer currently enrolled in Angelo State University’s News Reporting and Writing class. 

On March 8, 2024, the Angelo State Chorale and San Angelo Chorus set off to New York City for their debut performance at Carnegie Hall. Dr. Eric Posada, the choir director, and his choirs were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall for the 2024 Masterwork Series concert titled “Heaven and Earth.” The chorus was accompanied by ​​the New York City Chamber Orchestra conducted by Posada. 

The performance took place on March 11, 2024, as the two San Angelo choirs combined with the Free Point High School Chorale, the Penn State Altoona Ivyside Pride and some individual singers to make up the Masterwork Festival Chorus with 96 members total. This chorus performed the 32-minute “Sunrise Mass” by Ola Gjeilo, receiving a standing ovation after the work. “I feel proud of this choir and myself and how we made it this far,” said Lanz Calma, a first-year engineering major. “The standing ovation as well was so emotional.”

The Angelo State Chorale and the San Angelo Chorus opened the concert with a spotlight performance consisting of “Temporal” by Diana Sáez and Suzzette Ortiz, “Let Me Listen” by Dan Forrest and “My King Is Comin’ Soon” by Kyle Pederson, featuring Dr. Mark Covey, Angelo State assistant professor of music, as a soloist. “The overall performance, I thought it was really special to see our choir singing at Carnegie Hall,” Covey said. “The level of the production and the level of artistry that happened that night was just terrific.” 

After their performance, the Angelo State Chorale and the San Angelo Chorus were allowed to be in the audience for the remainder of the show, being able to be performers and audience members at the same show. The work performed was “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest performed by the First Baptist Church Choir from Sacramento, California, Richmond Hill High School, Voca Lyrica and Saint Mary’s School Chorale. 

Posada became the head choral director of Angelo State in 2021 and has grown the program's numbers each year. In the fall of Posada's first year, the Angelo State Chorale had 19 members, and in the fall of 2023, the Chorale had 47 members. “The guy just works his tail off for this program and he is making it happen. He has grown this place and I think our program would be a lot worse off without him,” Covey said.

This show was put together by Manhattan Concert Productions. MCP invites and welcomes all types of musical ensembles like bands, orchestras and choirs from all across the country to work with professional musicians and perform at various famous venues.