Carnegie Hall

Highlands Youth Ensemble Performs at Carnegie Hall   The Highlands Youth Ensemble (HYE), MECCA's high-school mixed choral group with members from Green County, TN to Washington County, VA, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 27 - a special mass chorale performance of John Rutter's Requiem, under the direction of the renowned English composer himself.  More than 20 of the HYE members made this trip, joining other choirs from around the U.S. on stage. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our singers," said Jane DeLoach Morison, HYE director.  "Carnegie Hall represents a pinnacle of achievement for musicians, and performing under the baton of John Rutter is an extraordinary honor.  The music was beautiful, and our students dedicated themselves to the effort of learning it.  In fact we performed Requiem locally three times in its entirety before going to New York.  I am so proud of Highlands Youth Ensemble!"   During their New York stay, the HYE students visited local landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.  They also enjoyed Broadway plays and a dinner cruise. The Highlands Youth Ensemble is part of the Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy (MECCA).  This audition - only group, consisting usually of 25 to 30 students from throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, primarily performs a cappella repertoire in four-part (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) harmony. The HYE group has performed at numerous churches in the Tri-Cities area, at the Rhythm & Roots Reunion, at Music on the Square in Jonesborough, at dollywood, and at the Biltmore Estate during its Christmas candlelight tours.  In May of 2007, HYE traveled to Hungary and sang in the 20th International Chamber Choir Competition in Pecs, Hungary.