The Nanaimo Youth Choir is heading to Carnegie Hall.
After months of fundraising, the choir has finally reached its goal of $65,000 to head to the Big Apple and perform during the Distinguished Concerts International New York on June 12.
“It’s been amazing,” said Darcie Osborne, choir manager, adding that choir members have worked “tirelessly” to raise the money. “We are pretty proud of them.”
It’s taken countless hours of fundraising activities such as garage sales, hotdog sales, bottle drives and bagging groceries.
Osborne said the choir members jumped at any opportunity to raise money.
Originally the group’s goal was to raise $60,000, but Osborne said with the fall of the Canadian dollar the group had to increase that to $65,000.
Osborne said community members also stepped up and made more than $20,000 in donations directly to the choir, aside from the fundraising activities.
“That’s pretty special,” said Osborne about the direct donations.
To make the announcement that the group had met its goal, Osborne came in to choir practice one day wheeling a suitcase behind her.
“When I wheeled in the suitcase they all got super excited and were bouncing in their chairs,” said Osborne.
The Nanaimo Youth Choir is hosting a New York themed concert on Friday (May 27) at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church, located at 311 Fitzwilliam St. to celebrate its accomplishment and thank community members.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for patrons 18 and younger and are available at the door.
The Nanaimo Youth Choir is an auditioned choir for ages five to 19. The older members ages 10-17 are heading to New York.
The choir was founded in 1992 by Marian Smith as a special division of the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music.
Since it was created the group has been a winner at the B.C. Festival of the Arts six times and won second in its class at the Canadian National Music Festival in 2012.
For more information about the Nanaimo Youth Choir please go to www.nanaimoyouthchoir.ca.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com