BHS A Cappella Choir Invitation to Carnegie Hall, May 22, in Jeopardy! Support Sought From Michigan Corporations, Institutions, and Individuals

BHS A Cappella Choir Invitation to Carnegie Hall, May 22, in Jeopardy! Support Sought From Michigan Corporations, Institutions, and Individuals

Berkley High School's A Cappella Choir has been invited to sing in world famous Carnegie Hall under the direction of Michigan State University Director of Choral Activities, Dr. David Rayl, but must come up with $40,000 to cover travel expenses ...

BERKLEY, Mich., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The odds of the average, high school choral singer performing in Carnegie Hall is one in 73,000; but Berkley High School has beaten those odds, and will be sending -- not one -- but 30 singers to the world famous venue this May -- if, and this is a big if, they can raise $40,000 to get them there and back.

The BHS A Cappella Choir, which finished with first division ratings in the 2006 Michigan State High School Choral Festival last spring, has been invited by Michigan State University Director of Choral Activities, Dr. David Rayl, to a four day residency at Carnegie Hall to perform Beethoven's Mass in C on Tuesday, May 22nd, at 8 p.m.

"And we are determined to get there," says BHS Choral Director, Marci Morrow. "The state of Michigan will be superbly represented by these students on this great national stage, so we are looking for support from everyone -- not just parents, but businesses, artistic institutions, and individuals throughout the state."

"A number of fund-raising activities are already under way, including tag days, car washes, and paid performances at community, corporate, and private events," says Eileen Hatzos, President of the Berkley High School Fine Arts Boosters. "Several raffles for thousands of dollars in cash prizes are also planned for the fall, winter, and early spring."

"A chance to play Carnegie Hall does not come along every day," says Tresa Zumsteg, Ph.D., Superintendent of the Berkley School District. "This is a great honor -- not only for these kids, but for the great Berkley school system that produced them. It is our duty to get them to Carnegie Hall!"

Barbara Blanchard, President of the State of Michigan's Parent Teacher Student Association, and former President of the BHS PTSA, has pledged her support and considerable networking skills to the BHS A Cappella Choir Carnegie Campaign. "Less than 1/2 of 1% of high schools nationwide have been invited to this prestigious national event at world-famous Carnegie Hall. These Berkley High School students are an inspiration to all of the students in Michigan."

"For more than a century, Carnegie Hall has set the standard for excellence in performance," says Marrow. "Every artist who stands on the Hall's stage is standing on the shoulders of history, anchored by a great tradition."

Assuredly, Carnegie's walls have echoed with applause both for the world's greatest classical artists and the most popular musicians of our time. These artists have included Gustav Mahler, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, John Philip Sousa, and in 2007 -- if the people of Michigan will get behind them -- the Berkley High School A Cappella Choir!

To pledge your support, to book singers from the BHS Choir for paid performances at your event, or to purchase raffle tickets for thousands of dollars in cash prizes, call 1-877-692-2025 or visit the website, http://bhsplayscarnegiehall.com/ . Let's show the nation what Michigan students can do!

Contact: Marci Morrow Berkley High School
BHS Choral Director 2325 Catalpa
Phone 248-837-8118 Berkley, Michigan 48072
Fax 248-544-5860 Phone 248-837-8100
mmorrow@berkley.k12.mi.us Fax 248-544-5860

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Berkley High School Fine Arts Boosters

CONTACT: Marci Morrow, BHS Choral Director, +1-248-837-8118,
Fax: +1-248-544-5860, mmorrow@berkley.k12.mi.us

Web site: http://bhsplayscarnegiehall.com/

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