A group of Gilroy High School choir students recently traveled to New York City, where they performed at the famed Carnegie Hall.
The Gilroy High School Choral Ensembles traveled to New York March 29-April 3 and performed April 1 as part of a MidAmerica Productions residency during the organization’s 43rd season concert series, according to Gilroy High Director of Choirs Jonathan Souza. The students joined the South Bay Singers, along with alumni, family members and community participants, to form an intergenerational chorus of about 120 performers.
“Standing on that stage, you feel the weight of history,” Souza said. “But more importantly, you realize our students belong there.”
Souza, who also serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment for Arts and Music in Schools in the Gilroy Unified School District, conducted the performance—his debut at Carnegie Hall.
The concert featured major choral works including Serenade to Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Gloria by John Rutter, as well as Fanfare for the Common Man by Aaron Copland. The program emphasized both technical skill and a broader message about honoring everyday people through music.
“The Carnegie Hall performance was a meaningful success, and I could not be more proud of our students,” Souza said. “They rose to the occasion with focus, discipline and heart throughout the rehearsal process and performance. For many of them, this was not only their first time performing in a world-renowned venue, but also a transformational moment in their growth as young musicians and people.”
Preparation for the performance began months ago. Students participated in daily rehearsals, sectional practices and independent study, while also learning about the historical and musical context of the repertoire.
The collaboration between high school students and adult community singers was a defining feature of the trip, Souza said. Performing alongside experienced musicians offered students a glimpse of music as a lifelong pursuit, not just a classroom activity.
“One of the most meaningful aspects was seeing students perform alongside adults from their own community,” Souza said. “That connection reflects what music education can be at its best.”
The experience also highlighted the importance of community support. Funding, advocacy and encouragement from families, school supporters and local organizations helped make the trip possible.
“We are incredibly grateful to our families, boosters and community partners,” Souza said. “This doesn’t happen without a community that believes in the arts.”
The trip to New York and the performance also “represented something larger.”
“It reinforced the idea that the arts are not an ‘extra’ or ‘enrichment’ but an essential part of a well-rounded education, one that builds discipline, empathy, collaboration and a sense of belonging,” Souza said.
