Twenty-five students from the Johnson C. Smith University choir are preparing for their debut performance at Carnegie Hall in New York during Thanksgiving week. WFAE reported that the students will perform gospel and contemporary music as part of an event titled Sounds of the Season, which spotlights distinguished musical ensembles across the country.
The choir, led by Dr. Angelica Brooks, is one of four ensembles selected to perform at the renowned venue. Brooks told WFAE the performance aims to present music from Black culture as high art rather than simply entertainment.
Choir member Lamar Chance, 21, said the Carnegie Hall appearance also demonstrates the lasting significance of historically Black colleges and universities, noting that the ensemble intends to show its reach extends beyond North Carolina.
According to WFAE, the trip includes educational and cultural experiences for the students, who will explore New York and attend a musical. Brooks said many students have never visited the city and described the experience as life-changing, allowing them to envision themselves achieving even greater accomplishments in the future.
For more information, visit wfae.org.