It all started last summer when student, Gabrielle Cruz, a member of the St. Barnabas High School (SBHS) choir who also plays the piano, spotted a brochure about a program called “Voices in the Hall” on the desk of SBHS teacher and co-choir director, Sharon Traditi. “We should do this!” Gabrielle excitedly said. “What an experience to perform at Carnegie Hall!”

 

And so, the idea began taking shape with more students in September getting excited about the possibility of taking to the stage of Manhattan’s iconic performance venue. A phone call to executive director, Steve Petrunak, of the “Voices in the Hall” program at Cargenie Hall was made by Traditi, and when representatives discovered that the Bronx-based school choir, located at 425 East 240th Street in Woodlawn, was as good as promised, St. Barnabas became the only high school, and the only New York choir to participate in the February 19th event.

 

When a video tape of two SBHS choir students, Gabby Cruz and Anqi Lu, both classically trained pianists, was reviewed, it was decided the two would open the program, playing a four-hand piano piece, “The Greatest Showman Medley.”

 

According to the school, the SBHS choir has been working non-stop on their performance since the end of September, with co-choir directors, Traditi and Dionne Robinson, practicing 17 individual choral sections. The Carnegie Hall program title, “The Story of God: A Journey of Faith, Hope and Unity,” will feature over 250 vocalists from across the United States, including headliner, Meredith Augustin, director of music at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi in Manhattan, and renowned composer and musical artist, Cliff Petty.

 

The concert seeks to express a message of love, forgiveness and acceptance. The students will perform under the direction of famed religious musical directors, John Angotti and ValLimar Jansen. St. Bernard Academy, an elementary school from Nashville, TN will also be participating in the evening’s performances.

 

The National Pastoral Musicians, of which Traditi has been a member for over 25 years, fosters the art of musical liturgy. The members serve the Catholic Church in the United States as musicians, clergy, liturgists and other leaders of prayer. Sunday’s performance is not the only notable performance the SBHS choir has participated in over the years, according to the school. In 2015, St. Barnabas High School and St. Barnabas Parish Choirs were invited to sing at the Vatican for Pope Francis. The St. Barnabas High School Choir hopes the group will be able to travel to Rome, once again, in December 2023 and participating students will soon be fundraising to cover the cost of their trip.

 

SBHS is an independent, all-girls, college preparatory school, serving a diverse group of young women. According to the school’s representatives, it offers curriculum that develops confident, capable, and compassionate young women. For nearly a century, representatives say St. Barnabas has fostered a respectful, inclusive environment that challenges its students to think critically, while encouraging academic excellence.

 

Beyond the classroom, the school’s representatives said it provides an array of what were described as enriching opportunities, including internships, mentoring programs, extracurricular activities, and community service. “Through this holistic, affordable, values-oriented educational experience, we graduate young women prepared for successful futures,” school representatives said. For more information visit stbarnabashigh.com.

 

To learn more about “Voices in the Hall” program, the Carnegie Hall event, on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 7:30 p.m. and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.carnegiehall.org and use Code #STB39878. For questions, phone (212) 247-7800. The school representatives and choir thank everyone for their support and look forward to seeing everyone at the event.