Monomoy Students Take The Stage At Carnegie Hall

On June 27, two local students from Monomoy Regional Middle School Chorus stepped onto the stage at Carnegie Hall as a part of the Middle School Honors Performance Series, performing with students from around the country in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Rising seventh graders Emily Goodnow and Hannah Savin, both 12, were among a select group of middle school students chosen to participate in the Honors Performance Series. The students spent months preparing — learning their music independently and working closely with their families and choral director — all leading up to a live performance in one of the world’s most iconic concert venues. 

The Middle School Honors Performance Series by WorldStrides brings together talented middle school students in New York City to form the Honors Junior Choir. Music directors worldwide nominate exceptional sixth to eighth grade students who then go through an application and audition process. Applications are reviewed by a panel of music professionals, and a select group of finalists are chosen.

According to Sarah Jane Mason, choral director at the middle school, only two students out of around 100 in the choral program were nominated. Both applied — and both were selected.

When Goodnow received her acceptance email, she said she couldn’t believe it. 

 “I was trying not to get my hopes up because there were so many other amazing voices trying out,” she said. “So when I was chosen, I was in complete shock. I was so grateful and proud to be getting to that spot because so many good musicians as adults don’t even get to perform there, but I got that chance.”

Then the work began. Tracks, recordings and sheet music were sent to the girls in advance, and over the next few months, they prepared their parts. They rehearsed at home, practiced with their choral director, and committed to learning the material on their own time. Both the girls and their parents credited Mason’s guidance for helping them prepare with confidence.

On June 24, they boarded a train to New York City. Rooming together for the trip, the girls participated in three days of rehearsals, city excursions and bonding with fellow young musicians from across the country — from New Jersey to Texas to Oregon. 

Then, at 8:30 p.m. June 27, they took the spotlight.

 “We stepped into the space and I immediately felt tiny because the stage itself was huge and the acoustics were amazing. It sounded so incredible from where I stood,” said Savin.

The concert hall was filled with proud family, friends and music lovers. For Emily’s mother, Danielle Goodnow, seeing her daughter perform was emotional.

 “Emily is just the type of kid who puts 110 percent in everything she does. I felt like she deserved to be up there, so it was a really special moment,” she said.

Beyond the performance, the girls enjoyed the full New York City experience as a part of the program. They watched “Aladdin” on Broadway, explored Rockefeller Center, saw the Statue of Liberty, and learned about Carnegie Hall’s storied history through an exclusive tour. 

 “From a little town on Cape Cod to staying in Times Square, the trip itself was a gift,” said Katie Savin, Hannah’s mother. “It was unbelievable to see [Hannah’s] growth. That girl that left with me at the end of the five days was not the girl I brought.”