Chapel Choir Tour New York
Wrekin College Choir have just returned from a tour of New York City that will undoubtedly live long in the memory for everyone who was lucky enough to be involved. With three incredible venues to sing in, a Broadway show to enjoy and the usual sights and sounds of the 'city that never sleeps' to take in, the tour was an incredible action packed 5 days.
The three concerts that the choir performed were in the Cathedral of St John the Divine (so large that if the Statue of Liberty was taken off it's pedestal it would fit under the roof), the Riverside Church (which to give a local perspective is probably twice the size of All Saints in Wellington) and then a final concert (as one of only 5 choirs worldwide accepted from the many who applied) in the incredible St Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue. Singing a mix of liturgical music from Psalms to Gospel the Choir received three standing ovations for their performances.
Alongside the concerts, the choir packed in as many sights as they could seeing the Statue of Liberty and Liberty island, Central Park, the colossal Met Museum of Art, Times Square, Macy's department store, Grand Central Station, World Trade 1 and the 9/11 memorial, Radio City Music Hall, The Rockerfeller Centre (for some great views from the 67th floor!) and also a fantastic trip to the headquarters of the United Nations where the choir were allowed into the General Assembly room whilst it was in session. (Wrekin often enters Modern United Nations debating competitions so for those youngsters this visit was a real highlight). They also had the privilege to watch 6 times TONY winner Audra Macdonald take the lead role in the show 'Gyspy' in what was a flawless Broadway performance.
With six of the party moving on to university in September this was a brilliant way for them to end their time in Wrekin's Sixth form and was just one of the multiple opportunities the young people at Wrekin get, not just musically but school wide.
