Photo caption: The Chamber Choir is made up of seniors Abby Kelley, Sierra Flake, Claire Enfield, Marisa Cantu, Jaein Cho, Frank Kaufmann, David Denizard-Cruz, Ryan Marchant, Nate Lazarte, Dallin Skinner, junior Angely Tagomata, Hope Stowers, Austin Cortez and sophomores Helaina Kaufmann, Josiah Hampton and Declan Winegar. Choir director, Kasey Eck, in front. Photo credit: Steilacoom High School

Carnegie Hall. The words are synonymous with world-class performances and memorable music. Next month, at the invitation of Pacific Lutheran University's choir master, Dr. J. Edmund Hughes, the Steilacoom High School Chamber Choir will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of joining with 200 voices from around the country to perform John Rutter's glorious "Requiem" on the same stage as the likes of legends such as Jascha Heifetz, George Gershwin - even the Beatles.

When asked why the Steilacoom High School Chamber Choir was chosen for this honor, the choir's director, Kasey Eck, said that they were chosen after the choir placed first "in the state Solo and Ensemble Competition last April, increasing the visibility and reputation of the choir." Since then, Eck continued, "Dr. Hughes has come to my classroom to work with the students and we respect his musicianship greatly."

Eck went on to say, "These students are amazing young people. I hope readers will know how deserving these kids are of an experience like this and how it would not be possible without the community support for these musicians. They will represent our community and schools with professionalism and poise ... We are looking forward to a great experience!"

One of those amazing young people is senior Sierra Flake, daughter of Air Force Lt. Col. Dr. Eric Flake, who is currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The soprano, who was also named Lakewood Rotary's March Student of the Month, is looking forward to singing in the iconic auditorium. Flake said that what she enjoys most about the Rutter piece "is making the notes on the page come alive and making the words into a feeling instead of just words." The oldest of five, Flake plans to attend Brigham Young University in the fall where she hopes to major in music with a choral emphasis to prepare for a career as a high school choir director.

Since being chosen, the Steilacoom High School Chamber Choir has been busy not only rehearsing, but holding fundraisers around the community as well. These have included “the Steilacoom Farmer’s Market, Kiwanis auction, dessert auction dinner and performance, participating in the Red Ribbon Bazaar at SHS, and selling numerous coffee and cocoa bags from Topside Bar and Grill,” said Eck. “We are greatly indebted to the generosity of the Steilacoom community, Steilacoom and Clover Park Kiwanis, as well as John O’Reilly at our local Topside restaurant.” The choir is still accepting donations. Interested readers can direct their donations to Rick Flores, bookkeeper for the choir fund at Steilacoom High School.

There will be two opportunities for the public to hear the Steilacoom High School Chamber Choir perform before they head for New York City. Tuesday, March 28, they will be performing several numbers with the rest of the Steilacoom High School Choir, as well as the Pioneer Middle School and Saltar’s Point Elementary School choirs, as part of the Steilacoom Historical School District #1 Choir Concert at Pacific Lutheran University’s Lagerquist Hall. Then, at 7 p.m., Friday, March 31, the Steilacoom High School Choir, along with the choirs from Curtis High School, Gig Harbor High School, Peninsula High School, and Stadium High School, will perform the Rutter “Requiem” at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church. Both performances are free and open to the public and will be conducted by Dr. Hughes.

Steilacoom Historical School District #1 Choir Concert, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 28, Pacific Lutheran University’s Lagerquist Hall, 12180 Park Ave. S., Tacoma, donations at the door, 253.983.2200

Rutter’s “Requiem”, 7 p.m., Friday, March 31, Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 7700 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor, free, 253.983.2200