As graduating Cornwall Middle School students, Tara Rao and Sofia Giardella had the unique opportunity of performing at Carnegie Hall at the end of June. Both were participants in the school’s choral program and were chosen, by music teacher Valerie Ransbottom, to apply for Carnegie Hall’s Honor Choir Program.
Rao and Giardella each practiced two songs and then recorded them to submit as audition tapes. They mailed the tapes in December, but didn’t receive the good news until February. Giardella found out via e-mail and the postal service; Rao found out in the middle of math class. Both admitted to being nervous and excited.
“I was just happy I had Tara with me,” said Giardella, “otherwise I would have been terrified.”
“It was bittersweet for me because I got into this great choir, but I was also missing my sister’s high school graduation,” said Rao.
The duo left for the city following their moving-up ceremony, barely having time to change. Once they arrived at the hotel, they attended an orientation and met their roommates. The next few days were filled with five-hour rehearsal sessions. Evenings were reserved for city tours and other activities such as catching a Broadway show or bowling. On June 28, they joined 160-170 other middle school students to perform five songs.
“It was so amazing,” both said about their experience.
Giardella said she would try out for the program again, but not this year as she’s still adjusting to the high school. Rao said she wanted to pursue other choral programs before jumping into the same one again.
