Two years ago, during a Washington-Liberty High School choral-department trip to New York City, students had the chance to tour Radio City Music Hall and even stand on its famous stage.
Now, they are gearing up to perform on it.
W-L students and educators will be headed to New York City during the holiday season in what could accurately be described as a once-in-a-lifetime musical opportunity.
The trip, which starts Dec. 20, will see students singing at both Radio City, where they will open a performance of its Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes, and at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States.
“We’re all wrapping our heads around performing at Radio City and experiencing New York during the holiday season,” said Theresa Severin, who serves as director of choral activities and is performing-arts department chair at the high school.
“After 27 years at Washington-Liberty and 31 with Arlington Public Schools, I can say that performing at Radio City Music Hall is a bucket-list moment — for me and for our students” Severin told ARLnow. “This opportunity isn’t just about the venue. It’s a unique and unforgettable experience that will inspire our students and highlight their hard work.”
During the trip, students also will tour the city, participate in a choreography workshop with a cast member from “Hamilton,” and later that evening watch him perform on stage.
The planned excursion has, not surprisingly, been a crowd-pleaser among Washington-Liberty students.
- Allie Coughlin, soprano in Advanced Choir: “It will be so cool to sing with the Rockettes and to be with my friends in New York at Christmas.”
- Bellum McPhillips-DeFilippi, tenor in Chamber Choir: “Super excited for the trip! It’s a cool opportunity to sing in Radio City and I’m looking forward to it.”
- Apollo Crenshaw, alto in Chamber Choir: “We will be able to spend time with our friends, see the city and have a performance experience on this professional stage. I’m terrified, but I’m so excited.”
- Matthew Heim, bass in Chamber Choir: “My freshman year, we sang in St. John the Divine. Listening to that recording was everything for me. Now, we get the opportunity to sing at St. Patrick’s and create more memories with my friends.”
In past years, the choral department has used a candy-bar sale at the school to support its trips, but those are no longer allowed by the school system. Instead, organizers are turning to the public and have set up a funding site to help defray transportation costs and make the journey possible.
“Singing on that stage will be a special memory, and we’re so grateful for the support that’s helping make it happen,” Severin said.
