Merrimack College’s Director of Music Ministry, Dr. Hugh Hinton, accompanied by three of Merrimack’s Schola Choir students, Audrey McGill ‘25, Rose Franey ‘27 and Hana Coppenrath ‘27, were invited to visit and participate in the 2025 Catholic Choir Festival concert “Voices in the Hall,” which took place at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Singers from across the United States joined together creating a 170-voice Choir.
The concert was publicly performed on the Perelman Stage of the Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium. It featured three leading contemporary Catholic singer songwriters, Curtis Stephan, Jesse Manibusan and Janet Sullivan Whitaker, singing their own music under the artistic direction of Steve Petrunak. The vocal performances were accompanied by a professional band. 
During the concert, Dr. Hugh Hinton conducted one song for the Voices In the Hall Choir. He also explains the importance of the opportunity for the student singers, “It was such an inspiration to sing in a renowned space like Carnegie Hall with enthusiastic singers from across the country joining together to make up this special choir.” Hinton shares what an honor it is to perform in Carnegie Hall, saying, “Carnegie Hall is one of the most celebrated concert halls in the US, known for its fine acoustics, and for the legendary performers who have appeared there, such as Tchaikovsky, George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Bob Dylan.”
One of Merrimack College’s singers, Audrey McGill ‘25—who regularly serves as the main Cantor of the Schola Choir during Merrimack College’s Sunday church Masses—had the amazing opportunity to sing a solo during the concert. McGill shares, “I had an absolutely unforgettable experience at Carnegie Hall! It felt like a dream come true to be selected for a solo performance.”
Singer Coppenrath says she “had an amazing time performing at Carnegie Hall! I have always dreamed of performing there and I am so grateful I had this opportunity.” Coppenrath also shares a personal or special experience she took home: “My favorite experience was hearing the applause of the audience for the first time while on stage at Carnegie Hall. It was a magical moment.”
Singer Franey says, “It was a true honor for me to perform at Carnegie Hall, and it will undoubtedly live in my fondest memories.” Franey also shares a personal or special experience. “For me, performing in the choir was a personal high point. Being able to stand beside 170 other seasoned vocalists and hold my own was quite amazing.”
All the students note how much they enjoyed their time there. They were able to explore and sightsee so many different monumental places around the city. Some were lucky enough to even bump into an old familiar friendly face and have time to reminisce and catch up with each other. And some also had front row seats to watch Romeo and Juliet on Broadway and enjoy time spent with friends.
McGill sums up her experience by saying, “It was a perfect blend of nostalgia and new adventures!”
