TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Hartsfield Elementary School Chorus is on a trip of a lifetime.
Their next stop: New York City.
They're going to perform at Carnegie Hall.
The Hartsfield Chorus earned an invite to Carnegie Hall by submitting a blind audition.
The price tag of this trip: More than $65,000.
Choir director Arenqua Jackson eagerly took on the fundraising challenge. And conquered it in just a few months.
"The community has been incredible," said Jackson. "If it wasn't for the Tallahassee community and also neighboring counties, out of state. We also had an international donor that gave."
Hartsfield is a Title I school. This opportunity puts a spotlight on all their talent, not only the teachers, but the amazing kids who work hard to make it to the top.
"Ninety percent of my students and parents have never been to New York," said Jackson. "So this is not only an experience for the students, but for the parents as well. This is going to change everyone. I think this will change our community. It will also change other schools and inspire them to go out and chase after their dreams as well."
Students all packed and ready to go. Their parents are loving every moment.
Christic Henry, a member of the Tallahassee Southside Rotary Club, is one of several volunteers who woke up bright and early to help send off the students from Hartsfield Elementary.
"It's beyond words how this is going to transform their life, and what they're going to see when they're there," Henry said. "What they're going to experience. You can't ask for anything more."
They got a big breakfast with pancakes and orange juice. It's just one of the ways the community made this happen for the 24 students in the chorus.
"For these kids to leave the City of Tallahassee and got to the Big Apple," said Henry. "It is tremendous. And not just go to the Big Apple! They're going to be featured on the World Stage. Carnegie Hall."
The Chorus will be in New York for a five days. They'll stay in a Manhattan hotel, take in a Broadway performance and visit the Statue of Liberty.
