Harmony and Talent Unite in DCINY's Total Vocal Concert at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall was alive with the sound of music as DCINY’s annual Total Vocal concert returned, showcasing the talents of various choirs, special guests, and beatboxers. This marked my fourth year photographing the event, and once again, Deke Sharon took the stage as conductor and MC, leading the performers in a night filled with Disney classics, Broadway tunes, and American popular music.
The concert kicked off with the Keiko Kane Choir performing "E Ku'ulei," a traditional Hawaiian song arranged by Camilla Corpus Yamamoto. A series of memorable performances followed, featuring songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Don't Start Now," and "Pompeii," with soloists and vocal percussionists showcasing their talents throughout the night.
In the first half of the concert, the choir was made up of Crimson & Slate, El Segundo High School Chamber Choir, Keiki Kani Choir, Mariemont High School Choir, Mt. Sinai High School Jazz Choir, My Pop Choir, and Squad Harmonix, offering a diverse range of musical arrangements and harmonies. At this time, special guest Nikisha Williams, who is currently playing Eliza in the national tour of Hamilton, delivered an incredible performance, singing "True Colors" and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
During intermission, world-class beatboxers Kaila Mullady and Mark Martin took the spotlight, enthralling the audience with their extraordinary skills and entertaining performance.
As the first half of the concert concluded, Pop Voices, Singing Earth Divine, Vocal Academy@St. James, Vocal Synergy, and Westport Youth Choir took the stage for a thrilling second half, featuring songs like "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "You Make My Dreams," and "Cecilia." GQ delighted the audience with their performances of "Pity Party" arranged by Patrick McAlexander and "Timshel," arranged by Katie Gillis and Katie MacDonald, respectively. Jua Amir also took the stage during the second half, mesmerizing the audience with his powerful voice and a stunning rendition of "Kiss From A Rose."
The evening concluded with the entire ensemble performing Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" before the much-anticipated encore of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." During the encore, performers from the first half of the concert made their way from the back of the house and into the audience, creating an interactive and immersive experience for everyone present.
The Total Vocal concert at Carnegie Hall once again proved to be a magical evening, filled with exceptional talent, unforgettable performances, and the shared love of music that brought everyone together.
