Start spreading the news …
Les Ms. community choir selected to play Carnegie Hall on St. Patrick’s Day 2019
The sounds from her keyboard rang out across her home.
Start spreading the news … the musical arrangement from “New York, New York” was enthusiastically on display for choral director Valerie Long as she recounted how the Les Ms. choir has been selected as one of five choirs from across North America to perform at New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall on March 17, 2019.
There can no better place and time for a group of Newfoundlanders and Labardorians, a province rich in Irish history, to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Les Ms., a community choir based in St. John’s, will participate in a three-day residency of rehearsals and clinics under the baton of Dr. Nancy Menk, culminating in a performance by massed choirs, of Magnificat — Music for Women’s Voices in the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) concert series.
“Our deposit is in, so there is no turning back now,” Long said, smiling from ear to ear. “It is New York City or bust for us.” A limited number of ensembles have been invited to this concert, which is in recognition of International Women’s Day and is planned to take place on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.
Others who will join Les Ms. include Nancy Menk’s Women’s Choir from St. Mary’s
University in Notre Dame, Indiana; Nazareth Academy, a private high school in Philadelphia, Pa.; Mountain Melody Women’s Chorus from California; and Capital Harmonia from northern Virginia.
Les Ms. was invited in recognition of its dedication to musical excellence, and due to the high quality of its musical achievement. “It was amazing to get the phone call on Wednesday, April 4. I found it surreal to just get a cold call from Julia Falkenburg of Distinguished Concerts International. I can’t tell you how excited we are about the opportunity,” Long said.
Les Ms. was formed in 1999,
and has approximately 40 members in the ensemble. The choir is recognized for its highquality music and unique performance style.
Through its nearly two decades of existence, Les Ms. has raised almost $150,000 for The Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation Patient and Family Support Fund — which helps patients and families with travel and housing costs incurred because of their treatment — through collaboration with other choirs and musicians in its annual Les Ms. and Friends Sing for Care concerts.
Its concerts have raised money and donations for food banks, historical societies, disaster relief, choral scholars and others.
The choir will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2019, and through its history has never asked for money or support from the community, and members were reluctant to do so this time, but realize this is an opportunity that has never happened before and may never happen again.
So they have started a Go Fun Me Page, and just through word of mouth Les Ms. has sold out two concerts it will perform this weekend at the Masonic Temple in St. John’s.
“This choir works so hard and they sing so well and have made so many community connections,” Long said. “People have been kind to us in terms of comments they have made already after learning about our selection. It is that recognition and the impact we’ve had in other people’s lives through philanthropy that is not only shows our love of singing, but how we always try to help others.”
Because of this communityminded spirit, starting a drive to raise money to benefit its members was a difficult decision. Long said the group is much more comfortable helping others than seeking help, but in order to participate in the event, it is necessary.
The cost of the residency is approximately $1,000 each, and beyond the reach of most of the Les Ms. members, particularly when combined with travel costs, which are over and above the residency cost.
“This experience will lift the choir to a whole new level,” Long said. “They will be instructed in this most challenging repertoire, by a director with the experience of Dr. Menk, to perform with international women’s voices, with a professional, full orchestra, and all of this on the stage of Carnegie Hall,” she added.
“It is early days in planning and we hope the community will lend us some support, the way in the same fashion Les Ms. has supported the community.”
Long said attending this event will be a superior experience for the choir, but there is a trickle-down effect as well, as it brings great recognition to St. John’s, the province and in fact Canada, as Les Ms. is the only non-american representative chosen.
“I think everyone knows the significance of playing Carnegie Hall.”
Long said to be able to bring these experiences and techniques back home is an honour. In a Facebook post recently, Long said, “We have already had such support from our community and our friends and family. It will take a village to get us there, but we have the most wonderful village in all of you. We are immensely grateful for anything you are able to give.”
More information on this venture and all things Les Ms. is available online on the choir’s website at www.lesms. ca. Ticket information is available by email at info@lesms.ca.