Sumter conductors seek singers to 'relive the moment' of Carnegie Hall; deadline to register is Oct.1
Imagine standing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, your voice blending with dozens of others in a crescendo that fills the iconic venue, the same as it does your soul. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - a dream long thought unattainable.
But for those in Sumter, this dream can be your reality.
Pioneering female conductors from Sumter Sonja Sepulveda and Kipper Ackerman will take the stage at Carnegie Hall on June 1, 2025, to conduct John Rutter's "Gloria" and "Te Deum," accompanied by the renowned New England Symphonic Ensemble.
For Sepulveda, this performance is a return to a highlight of her career. Back in April 1988, she led 300 Sumter High School choir students to Carnegie Hall in performance of this very same Gloria with Rutter himself - the first time a high school choir performed a solo concert at the venue, she said.
Sepulveda describes "Gloria" as "exciting" and "rhythmic." The upbeat piece is filled with brass, drums and offbeat rhythms that, together, "celebrate humanity." Now, 37 years later, Ackerman will take on the piece with excitement, as the piece was "written for everyone to have a part." For Sepulveda, she will take on Rutter's "Te Deum," an ancient Latin hymn of praise to God. The piece also has "great rhythms" but differs with its hymn tune center that is "very solid," Sepulveda described. The duo agreed that Rutter's music, three decades ago and today, evokes a feeling of excitement and fills the soul, and they want others to revel in the magic of it all.
"John Rutter actually said, and I hold it dear to my heart, 'Choral music goes to the heart of our humanity, our sense of community and our souls.' The majority of folks that grew up singing in a large choir in high school do not have that opportunity anymore, and it will forever be with them," Ackerman expressed. "This possibility is right here in front of them, in their own backyard. To pull in that sense of community, I think this is a great way to do that and at a very difficult time right now in our community."
For Sepulveda and Ackerman, this moment on the Carnegie Hall stage is about more than just music. It's about experiencing what often is overlooked for some and feels impossible for others. Travel, both literally and figuratively, is a central theme of this endeavor. It's not just about going to New York - it's about expanding horizons, challenging oneself and embracing that will change your perspective forever.
"Everyone should travel because it changes your perspective of who you are, not just in your community but who you are as a person and how you fit into the world," Sepulveda shared, knowing first-hand the impact travel has after her adventures around the world via her musical expertise. "It helps you see everything in a different light. And I think to be able to go to New York and to be part of this epic music in an epic place is very important."
For Ackerman, this journey is also personal. As the new director of First Presbyterian College Choir, she is in the process of rebuilding the program, which has not traveled outside of South Carolina for seven years. Now, her students will have the chance to join Sumter's best and Palmetto Voice Spiritual Ensemble as they perform alongside vocalists from the Bullet Central High School concert choir of Kentucky and Arizona Lutheran Academy concert choir of Arizona.
Sumter residents who have ever dreamt of performing at Carnegie Hall now have the chance. Registration is open, and there are different packages available for the trip. For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc3f7vx5. Once registered, the trip manager, DeAnna Lee, will send a link for the first deposit, due Oct. 1. For any questions, email Sepulveda at sonjasepulveda@hotmail.com.
"The biggest thing is that we want people to not miss this moment," Sepulveda expressed. "A lot of people wouldn't want to travel because 'I don't want to do this by myself.' You're not doing it by yourself, you're doing it with a lot of us. We'll help you get there; we'll help you learn the music like the old saying, 'Seize the day' because you don't get another chance."