CF Patriot Singers to Perform at Carnegie Hall

Feb. 7, 2013

Members of College of Central Florida Patriot Singers will travel to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall Monday, Feb. 18, presenting Carol Barnett’s “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass.”

The Patriot Singers received an invitation to audition in spring 2012 and were selected as one of several choirs to appear in the concert, which also includes members of the Marion Civic Chorale.

“It is an honor to be invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, and it is exciting to be performing such a fantastic new work,” said Matthew Bumbach, assistant professor at CF and conductor of both the CF Patriot Singers and the Marion Civic Chorale. “Carol Barnett, composer of ‘The World Beloved,’ does an exceptional job of joining the meaning of the text and the music. This is no small feat when pairing classical choral singing with the folk instruments found in bluegrass. The result is a beautiful work filled with lush harmonies, exciting crescendos and tender thoughtful moments. Any listener is sure to be moved by this performance.”

CF student Lauren Wilson has been selected by conductor Nancy Menk as a soloist for the Carnegie Hall performance; more than 300 singers auditioned.

“This is truly a dream come true,” said Wilson. “Being selected to sing a solo and perform the amazing ‘Bluegrass Mass’ is an experience I will always treasure and remember.”

For more information on the Carnegie Hall performance, contact Dr. Jennifer Fryns at 352-854-2322, ext. 1728.