Park choir got invited by National Choirs of America to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City along with 15 other choirs. The Carnegie Hall is known for hosting some of the top music talent in the world, so it was a special experience for the students. On the trip students also were able to enjoy the experience of New York City and all of its features. They visited the Vanguard building and stood over the glass edge,sang at King’s college, saw Hamilton on broadway and visited the 9/11 memorial museum.
The choir’s director, John Myszkowski, chaperoned the trip and said the students got to try a lot of new unique experiences that they not only had fun with, but learned from them.
“(It was) very educational — over all the (trips) we’ve taken over the years, this one was the most kind of like being in school,” Myszkowski said. “I mean, the kids had fun, but it was like every single thing we did was like something new that they learned.”
Junior Libi Ackerman said the trip was unique because this is a once in a lifetime trip that you will take with all your friends.
“It’s special because you only have one high school experience and only have one chance to do something like singing at Carnegie Hall,” Ackerman said. “I think that it’s just extra special because we got time to hang out and explore and we made a ton of friends.”
Junior Caleb Teichman said the trip was something he will remember because of the memories it made and all the new things people got to experience.
“It was special for me because it was my first time going to New York, and it’s a new experience for everyone,” Teichman said. “I know that there was one kid, it was their first time being on a plane.”
Myszkowski said trips like these with many students can be stressful, but this group was laid back and didn’t have any problems.
“This group was really easy,” Myszkowski said. “They were very responsible. We did tape their doors at night in the hotel room to make sure that people aren’t getting out. We had no issues at all. So, I felt like they were very trustworthy which made it less stressful”.
Ackerman said it was kind of unusual at first going on a trip with her classmates after only seeing some of them at school before, but it was interesting seeing people be themselves.
“It was kind of weird sometimes because I’m not used to going on trips with them, but just being there with school friends was super fun,” Ackerman said. “It’s like you’re putting all of us in a different environment, so I feel like we were more open and able to express ourselves and just be friends, versus like in school where there’s a lot of stress.”
Teichman said after visiting New York and singing in Carnegie Hall, working hard will come back with its benefits.
“After experiencing New York City, I noticed what it takes and that hard work pays off,” Teichman said.
