ACC Choir Gives Performance of a Lifetime at Carnegie Hall

A group of 40 Austin Community College students recently had the experience of a lifetime – performing at Carnegie Hall.

ACC’s choir was among a select few community college ensembles chosen to perform at the world-renowned venue this year, following a nationwide community college choir audition held annually. The ACC students performed the Fauré Requiem, a 19th century work sung in Latin, alongside four other community college choirs in April.

“It was phenomenal,” says Katie Walther, an ACC drama major. “Carnegie Hall is beautiful. The acoustics are great, so it made us sound beautiful! There aren’t really words to describe it.”

The performance also deeply affected those in the audience.

“This was an incredible experience, for our students as well as the staff members who accompanied them,” says Dr. Gary Hampton, dean of Applied Technologies. “In the 30 years I have been with ACC, I have seen students accomplish many wonderful things. Seeing our students perform in Carnegie Hall is definitely one of the highlights of my career.”

Students also had an opportunity to go sightseeing in New York.

“The city is so amazing,” says Walther. “We all got to do some really cool things. I went to a Yankees game, saw ‘The Magic Flute’ at the Met, saw ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway, visited the Statue of Liberty, and more.”

Still, it is the performance itself that will have the most lasting impression.

 “I’m so proud we could bring this experience to our students,” says Choir Director and Associate Music Professor Dr. Jim Shepherd. “I hope it will inspire them to want to achieve great things, in music or whatever career they choose.”

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