SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY The Sanibel School's Seahorse Chorale performed on April 1 at the New York Invitational Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York. They earned a gold rating, which is the highest possible.

The island school’s middle-school choir earned the highest accolade for its recent Carnegie Hall performance in New York, and the students will treat the local community to an encore show.

On April 1, The Sanibel School’s Seahorse Chorale took the big stage at the New York Invitational Music Festival in New York City. Music Director Joey Giangreco reported that 27 students traveled to the Big Apple to perform at the festival, plus they had the opportunity to enjoy a bit of sightseeing.

He reported that the chorale first performed in the hall early in the day for the sound check.

“Just walking out onto the stage was humbling. Knowing all of the musicians and performers who had performed there before us,” Giangreco said. “Seeing my students perform on that stage was an incredible and magical experience.”

Leading up to the big performance, the chorale was extremely excited.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY From left, The Sanibel School Music Director Joey Giangreco and Principal Jennifer Lusk with the gold plaque that the Seahorse Chorale received at the New York Invitational Music Festival on April 1.

“They knew this was something very special, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said.

The chorale performed five songs for the festival, which were “Dreams that Children Dream,” “We Know The Way,” “Tres Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Krao,” “Sing For Joy” and “For Good.”

“I spent a lot of time thinking about the messages that we wanted to portray, and I wanted to make sure we brought a variety of musical styles to the performance,” Giangreco said, noting that his students chose the order of the songs.

“Dreams that Children Dream” showcased their voice ranges and aimed to reflect their Big Apple dreams, while “We Know The Way” from the movie “Moana” spoke to the importance of one’s island home and knowing one’s roots. “Tres Cantos Nativos Dos Indios Krao” served as a world piece that featured another culture with three Brazilian folk songs. Tapping into the classical, “Sing For Joy” was from the Baroque era, with the message being joy. “For Good” came from the Broadway musical “Wicked” as the chorale got to work with a cast member, plus it represented friendship and memories.

He reported that his students worked hard to prepare and delivered a high-quality performance.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LEE COUNTY The Sanibel School Music Director Joey Giangreco and the Seahorse Chorale in New York City.

The festival’s evaluation team agreed.

Giangreco explained that prior to the show, they told the organizers that they wanted to perform for comments only — not for a rating. However, the night of the performance during the awards ceremony, the judges and production company presented the chorale with the gold plaque — the highest rating.

“It was an incredible surprise and honor,” he said. “It meant the world to my students and myself.”

While in the big city, the chorale visited the top of Rockefeller Center, enjoyed a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, cruised the New York Harbor to sightsee, took a Master Class and more.

“They had the opportunity to experience New York City,” Giangreco said.

He thanked Troen Student Performance Events and Music Celebrations International.

ENCORE PERFORMANCE

Presented by the Seahorse Chorale, an Appreciation Performance will be held on April 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center on Captiva. The students will perform their Carnegie Hall set.

“This is something the students will remember forever, and it was not something we accomplished alone,” Giangreco said of taking part in the festival in New York. “This is a way for us to say thank you to the community and all the sponsors and donors who helped to make this trip a possibility for us.”

Upon arrival, attendees will see a slideshow of pictures taken during the New York trip. After the performance, they will enjoy slices of New York-style cheesecake served up by the students.

While the event is free, reservations are required.

To RSVP, visit https://www.paperlesspost.com/go/0qDmvbQIm6BKeMiVyV3dN.

“We look forward to celebrating with the community and celebrating bringing back the gold from New York City,” he said.

The Captiva Civic Center is at 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva.

ANNUAL CONCERT

In addition, The Sanibel School will present its Spring Music Showcase on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafetorium. The annual concert will feature the Elementary Choir, Orff Club and Seahorse Chorale, along with a sneak peak of the Performing Arts’ upcoming production of Disney’s “Mary Poppins JR.”

“It’s songs from and inspired by ‘Mary Poppins JR,'” Giangreco said of the program.

The Elementary Choir will perform “Believer,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “The Place Where The Lost Things Go” and “Kuwa Furaha.” The Orff Club will present an arrangement of “Don’t Stop Believing,” an improvisation song of “Highland” with drumming and arrangement of “Entrance of the Gladiators.” The Seahorse Chorale will perform selections from its Carnegie Hall set, along with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Available at the door, tickets are $5 for adults and ages 18 and under are free.

“We will have the concession stand available for food and drink purchases,” he said.

The proceeds will support the Music Department.

The Sanibel School is at 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.

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IF YOU GO

What

Appreciation Performance

When

April 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Where

Captiva Civic Center, 11550 Chapin Lane, Captiva

Details

Free to the public, but RSVPs requested

IF YOU GO

What

Spring Music Showcase

When

April 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Where

The Sanibel School, 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

Details

Tickets are $5 and ages 18 and under are free