Judson Singers make second trip to share music at Carnegie Hall

Some 43 musicians from Judson College made the trip of a lifetime recently — they sang in New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall.
   
“I wouldn’t change a single note,” said Roger Walworth, who heads Judson’s fine and performing arts division and directs the Judson Singers. “As young as our choir is, they filled the room with such grace. It was God-­inspired, and the Lord honored our journey to get there.”
   
The Feb. 22 event was actually the choir’s second time at Carnegie Hall. In January 2003, the choir presented a pre-event concert and sang with the mass choir in the main concert.      
   
This time, the Judson choir was allotted some 22 1/2 minutes to sing at the opening of the main concert.  Following a solo concert, the Judson Singers joined other choirs in Beethoven’s “Mass in C.”  
   
The choir performed sacred texts in English, Latin, French and Haitian French. Walworth arranged two of the six pieces the choir performed.  
   
“This is not only a good thing for Judson College,” Walworth said, “but it’s an evangelistic opportunity as we sang songs of faith.” 
   
Carnegie Hall has two kinds of events, Walworth explained. One engages an artist, such as Pavarotti, for a concert. Carnegie Hall also solicits mass choir events called “choral residencies.” 
   
Choirs from around the nation apply for residency in order to work with well-known directors. The Judson Singers rehearsed with the mass choir for five hours each day in New York. 
   
Walworth said he began logistical work on this event a year ago, and the choir began its preparation at the beginning of the recent fall semester. The choir logged extra rehearsals in the final weeks before the concert. 
   
In addition to the choir, Walworth and two accompanists, some 19 former students, family and friends were in attendence, including Judson President David Potts. 
   
“This opportunity is indeed a memorable milestone for our students and a credit to the fine arts program of the college,” Potts said.