by Bea Peterson
On Wednesday afternoon Hoosick Falls Central School Music teacher Ambigay Yudkoff and Mattie Whitman, Emily Houghton and Lexi Hoag, three of the 24 students who participated in the Tim Janis program, The American Christmas Carol, in Carnegie Hall in NYC on Thursday, December 2, talked about the experience. “The word awesome is so overworked these days,” said Yudkoff. “But we were awestruck, for sure.” The girls described it as scary and exciting and the hall itself as gorgeous. “The architecture alone was so beautiful,” said Whitman. “It was all gold and white with red seats.” Yudkoff, as excited about the experience as her students, said as the only woman in the group she was given the Maestro Suite, used by Leonard Bernstein, for a dressing room. Lexi Hoag said so much happened it was difficult to believe it was only one day. The students’ bus left the school at 5:45 am. They didn’t appear on stage for their performance until 9:45 pm. Then there was the bus ride back to Hoosick Falls. Hoag said it was 2:30 in the morning when she arrived home.
Series Of Circumstances
Yudkoff said it was a series of fortunate circumstances that led the HFCS chorus to Carnegie Hall. It began when they were selected to participate in the WMHT PBS Christmas program. From that start they were invited by composer Tim Janis to participate in his PBS project Celebrate America to support the nation’s high school music programs. Then this past January they were invited to take part in Janis’ annual Christmas program and be part of a chorus of 225 from several states. This year the show benefitted the Little Sisters of the Poor. Yudkoff said she selected 24 of the strongest singers from last year’s Senior Chorus to participate. “We practiced for months,” she added. The girls agreed. “We practiced and practiced and practiced,” said Houghton. They received the final piece of music just one week before their performance. “I wanted everyone to be very prepared,” said Yudkoff. “I wanted them to be so prepared that the singing became a reflex, so even if they were very nervous they could perform.” She noticed that some of the others were still reading over their music at the rehearsals, and as they were getting ready to go on stage one chorus member had a panic attack so severe she could not perform.
Controlled Chaos
To say their day in New York was chaotic is an understatement. They and the rest of the Choir, from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Maine and Canajoharie arrived at St. Paul the Apostle Church to rehearse just in time for a funeral. After some confusion, the group was let loose for an hour in the city and then returned for rehearsal. Along the way their clothes had to be dropped off at Carnegie Hall; one mishap there meant a return trip to the Hall for the bus. The young people took time to become acquainted with kids from the other choruses, had a short dinner break, then spent two hours in a stairwell waiting to rehearse in the hall. The American Christmas Carol included two orchestras, several soloists and, finally, The American Christmas Carol Honors Choir. Choral directors were invited to be part of the Choir and Yudkoff took the opportunity to perform in the alto section. The four interviewees agreed that it was impossible to hear what was happening. “You were lucky if you could hear the person behind you singing,” said Whitman. All of their voices projected toward the audience. “All you could hear of the orchestra was an occasional thrum,” said Yudkoff.
And At The Conclusion?
A proud Mom who happened into the interview, said, “They received a standing ovation.”
“My Mom said it was so beautiful she cried,” said Hoag. Chaperone Bill Brown told Yudkoff that the whole show was magnificent and no one would have guessed at the chaos behind the scenes. “It was great for the kids to see how a big production is put together,” said Yudkoff.
Members of The American Christmas Carol Honors Choir from Hoosick Falls Central School were Brooke Bakaitis, Julia Baker, Kira Bisson, Matty Blair, Samantha Brewer, Tyler Brewer, Lauren Conte, Kara Gardner, Madison Greenwood, Brett Hanselman, Josh Harrison, Lexi Hoag, Emily Houghton, Stephanie James, Bailey Michaels, Amanda Middleton, Jala Murphy, Elise North-Kirkman, Chey Amber Reynolds, Kaayla Sjaan Reynolds, Emily Schultz, Juliana Schumacher, Alyssa Springer, Mattie Whitman and Ambigay Yudkoff.
The music performed by the chorus included “Gloria” and “Star of Wonder” written by Tim Janis, “Peace,” performed with nine year old Emily Bear, “Be Thou My Vision,” arranged by Tim Janis, “Let the Earth Sing,” Tim Janis and Shannon Wexelberg, the poem “Manger Child,” “Silent Night,” “Worthy of all Praise,” Tim Janis, “You Are Beautiful,” Janis and Wexelberg, “Don Oíche úd I Mbeithil,” “We Adore You,” Paul Baloche/Tim Janis, a reading of “The Christmas Story” and concluded with “O Holy Night.”
While the bus for the chorus left before dawn, another bus filled with parents left for the city at a more reasonable hour. “I did not expect the level of support I received from the parents,” said Yudkoff. “They helped keep the group together. It was wonderful.”
Troy Music Hall Next
Ambigay Yudkoff proudly announced that her chorus is one of five area schools selected to participate in the Albany Pro Musica Choral Festival. They will appear in the Troy Music Hall on February 13. She said they will perform three songs of their choosing and three songs combined with the orchestra. Yudkoff is now auditioning students for that special concert.
