The young singers gave the performance of a lifetime at Carnegie Hall. They brought gold

The singers stood in front of the auditorium for 2804 spectators. “The sound is carried into the space and returns to you from the rounded walls, so you have a feeling of belonging to the space, you can hear each other very well, even the most delicate piano dynamics can be heard here,” the choirmaster describes the experience of a lifetime. The choir prepared a performance with mainly Czech music. “Our program was conceived as one big story. At the beginning, songs based on our folk traditions, spring celebrations, songs about love and joy, water flowing through our landscape were played. In one moment, everything was covered by a fog, and out of it came a pilgrim looking for the path of life,” explains Jitka Šimková about the repertoire for the competition and continues: “The whole program culminated with a set of folk songs with strong dynamics, fresh choreographic folklore elements and a unique piano improvisation.” Before the flight, they practiced diligently and they rehearsed three times a week as opposed to the usual two sessions.

The Carmín Children’s Choir performed at Carnegie Hall and won a gold trophy.Source: Archive of DPS Carmín

The Carmín Youth Choir at the J. Š. Baar Elementary School and Kindergarten in České Budějovice was significantly supported on their journey by the South Bohemian Region, the statutory city of České Budějovice, the foundation fund Kde domov můj, the Ministry of Culture, companies and companies from České Budějovice, Prague, Brno, but also individuals from among the choir parents. The musicians also sang in the United States outside of the competition. “For the overseas trip, the choir prepared an accompanying program of popular music, which they performed in New York at American Dream,” adds Jitka Šimková. They also enjoyed the trip to New York as a sightseeing trip. “We visited Broadway, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, we took a sightseeing boat cruise on the Hudson River around Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty,” he recounts.

The application for the 10th year of the New York festival Sounds of Spring was sent in January. “The World Projects artistic council reviewed our video and audio recordings made at the concerts. Based on the quality of our performances, we were selected as the only ones from Europe to perform in Carnegie Hall,” explains Jitka Šimková. Along with Carmína, four other ensembles from the USA made their way to Carnegie Hall.

The Carmín Children’s Choir performed at Carnegie Hall and won a gold trophy.Source: Archive of DPS Carmín

The singers took home a golden plaque from the music competition. The choirmaster considers the victory to be the biggest success of Carmína, who already has many victories behind her. The ensemble is, as it states, the holder of eight Grand Prix from worldwide competitions, 50 diplomas and 20 cups. “The choir also gave concerts in Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Malta, Russia, Georgia, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Montenegro,” Jitka Šimková reminds. They intend to celebrate their success in no other way than by singing. They are planning a double concert in České Budějovice at DK Metropol, which will take place on June 6.

“We like challenges and new global projects,” says Jitka Šimková and outlines what they have ahead of them: “In the near future, at the end of June, we are going to give a concert at the equally famous Berlin Philharmonic. We received an invitation to the Sydney Opera House in Australia from a World Projects judge.”