Bixby Choir Working To Get To Carnegie Hall

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

BIXBY, OK -- A high school choir could miss out on the trip of a lifetime.  The Bixby High School Choir was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, but says it may not be able to afford the trip to New York.

Bixby, they've accomplished the hard part. They have the talent to make it to New York, but having enough money is another story.

Only two months from a scheduled appearance at legendary Carnegie Hall, the choir is practicing diligently.  They have spent all year perfecting their routine, but all the practice may be for naught.  The trip is expensive, and Bixby simply doesn't have enough funding.

"I thought we had it made, but we didn't with the last invoice in," said choir director Connie Coleman.

Director Connie Coleman says Bixby was one of two high schools in the entire country selected for the Carnegie Hall show.  They are supposed to appear on-stage with famed composer John Rutter on Memorial Day.

"It would be a fantastic opportunity for our choir.  For people to say that's Bixby High, they're from Tulsa, Oklahoma.  It would just be really great," said Bixby senior Kerstin Reneau.

But, to make that happen, the choir needs to come up with some cash.  Despite their efforts, the kids are still $10,000 short.

"They have worked so hard, and they have tried and done everything they can do.  Sold candy bars, you name it, they've done it," said choir director Connie Coleman.

While they realize time is running out, the choir is not giving up.  They say taking the stage at Carnegie Hall would be a high note that only comes along once in a lifetime.

"I mean, we'll go sell cookies on the street if we have to. Honestly we'll do anything," said Bixby junior Jenny Remy.

"I don't know how, but I know somehow we're going to get to go.  There's no way we just can't. It's Carnegie Hall," said Bixby junior BJ Ayers.

Anybody interested in helping the Bixby High School Choir get to that concert can do so by calling the school.  The number is 918-366-2200.