The 2009 Highbridge Voices

Benefit Concert:

A Glimpse into the Future

On Thursday, May 21st, 2009, the famed Bronx children's choir, Highbridge Voices, gave their audience a glimpse into the musical and academic future of its youth through their performance in the 2009 Highbridge Voices Benefit Concert at the Dicapo Opera Theatre on Manhattan's Upper East Side. 

Fresh off a successful concert that morning at the inauguration ceremonies of the new Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz, Jr., Highbridge Voices was thrilled to travel to Manhattan to perform for their many supporters in this annual event.  Certainly, the choir's performance brought back memories of old with their precise musicianship and powerful stage presence, but it was the glimpse into the choir's future that had the near capacity audience abuzz.  The youth of the 2009 Highbridge Voices displayed a new-found warmth in their collective sound and a joy in their performance that can only signal amazing things to come for this choir from the Highbridge section of the South Bronx.

The concert began with a rousing rendition of Sing Jubilate Deo that made full use of the choir's strength in tight, three-part harmonies.  Following the opening number, the choir showed off their ability to sing in various foreign languages with two impeccably interpreted German selections; Du bist die Ruh and Heidenröslein. And next, to round out the first half of the program, the Concert Choir performed a set of three Caribbean songs.  The three featured songs were a wonderful mix of national traditions and musical variation, but what was most impressive was that the choir seemed equally at home in each of the song's musical styles; the long lines of La Borinqueña, the reggae rhythms of One Love, and the rhythmic fireworks of Palo Bonito.

After those numbers, the Concert Choir was given a well-deserved break while the audience was treated to an intimate Chamber Choir performance of four Haitian Folk Songs which they performed in Creole French.  With their range of dynamics and their nuanced phrasing of these pieces, it is no wonder that Highbridge Voices' Chamber Choir has been heard at so many high profile events.  If these four songs are any indication, the new Highbridge Voices Chamber Choir is ready to make a serious musical impression in New York City.

After again returning to the very tight harmonies that have become a trademark of Bruno Casolari's arrangements, Blackbird proved to be the perfect transition from the Chamber Choir's solo turn to the reentry of the Concert Choir.  The entire choir, together on stage again, joined in a joyous telling of the Lennon & McCartney story-in-song; Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da to finish this pair of Beatles hits.

And finally, there could only be one way to end such a well-performed program by Highbridge Voices and that would be with their signature piece, I Believe I Can Fly.  Originally debuted in 1998, last Thursday night's performance of this musical embodiment of the Highbridge Voices mission could not have been better or more well received.  It was the perfect ending to a concert that celebrated the beginning of Highbridge Voices’ second decade serving the children of the Highbridge community.

Most probably, the majority of performers that had worked so hard to perfect their performance for Thursday night will not go on to have careers in the arts.  However, the hallmark of Highbridge Voices is that each one of them will now have had an experience of excellence, as achieved through their own hard work, and can now apply that experience to other aspects of their lives; namely, their academic performance and personal choices.

Thursday night began with the supporters of Highbridge Voices joining for a pre-concert cocktail reception catered by Sonnier & Castle.  Highbridge Voices greatly appreciates the support it has been shown by its patrons and Thursday's performance could not have been possible if it weren't for the hard work and dedication of the Event Co-Chairs.  They were Mary Corigliano Carbone, Frank Corigliano, Eileen M. Dillon, Mark Mazzella, Ann Thivierge, and Vito Verni.   Highbridge Voices is truly appreciative for their past and ongoing support of its programs.

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Highbridge Voices is located in the South Bronx community of Highbridge in a space provided by the Highbridge Community Development Corporation.  Along with the Highbridge Community Development Corporation, Highbridge Voices' supporters include The New York Yankees Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Monadnock Construction, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Ann M. Martin Foundation, the MetLife Foundation, the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation,  and  as well as numerous individual donors.

To help support the work of Highbridge Voices with the youth of the Highbridge community, please call 718-293-8759, ext. 13, or email us at info@highbridgevoices.org.