Many members of the Upper School Choir and a number of adult members of the RCDS Festival Chorus, including their conductor, Mary Marcell recently brought their 2026 Festival Chorus repertoire, A Vision Unfolding to sing one of the world’s most iconic concert venues: Carnegie Hall!

To further prepare, students traveled to Manhattan for rehearsals at the Times Square Westin, where they worked under the direction of Dr. Lee Nelson, Director of Choral Activities at Wartburg College (Iowa). Students sang alongside students from Wartburg, and two additional adult community ensembles, one from Oklahoma City, OK and one from Oakland, CA.
 
In a rigorous rehearsal environment, RCDS student and adult singers focused on ensemble cohesion, musical interpretation, and preparation for the final performance. “These sessions demanded sustained focus and commitment, as performers worked through the full program,” shared Music Department Chair Mary Marcell.

A peak inside their rehearsal

On Monday, April 20, RCDS Festival Chorus members proudly took the stage at Carnegie Hall. In addition to “A Vision Unfolding,” The two-and-a-half-hour program featured a composer symposium with pieces conducted by several renowned composer/ conductors in the choral world. In addition, the concert concluded with the Mozart Coronation Mass with high school and college musicians from New Jersey, Michigan, Florida and Arizona.

“It was a stunning performance,” said Upper School Principal Jenny Heath. “To see and hear our student musicians at Carnegie Hall is a memory we all cherish. We are very proud!”

Congratulations to our terrific performers!

Tia Agarwal '26
Max Agulay '27
Mia Anderson '29
Eda Buyuk '27
Alexandra Craig '29
Audrey Demong '29
Anoushka Dey '29
Yasmin Folarin '28
Emily Hau '29
Henry Irwin '29
Kenzie Kearns '29
Nina Kietlinski '29
Sam Kietlinski '27
Kaiya Kline '28
Teddy Kroin '28
Alexandra Lynch '27
Parker Maritzen '27
Giorgia Martorina '28
Hudson Mastoloni '28
Olivia Napoli '29
Tojumi Otakoya '26
Skyla Perez '26
Cayden Reed '28
Alice Rikkers '26
Jolie Robinson '29
Elan Song '29
Makai Song '28
Ahnika Southworth '29
Dania Suliman '26
Sophia Tang '28
Aanya Upadhyay '28
Peter Valenton '27
Trey Webber '28
Selena Zhang '26