“Hitch Your Wagon To A Star”

A quote from the famous 19^th Century poet, essayist, and lecturer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, advised, “Hitch your wagon to a star.” And one of our 8^th grade students, Collin, recently embarked on this adventurous journey.

During the fall and early winter months of 2011, Collin reached for a far-away star when he accepted an exciting and monumental challenge to: master five songs (by himself) with selected music posted on a website, and learn the accompanying choreography posted on YouTube; audition, in New York City, in front of renowned musical directors to secure a place in the No Borders Youth Chorus—a Barbershop Harmony Society Honors chorus comprised of 160 singers from ages 13-30, representing 30 different U.S. States and Canadian Providences; perform, in the front row radiant and inspired by his new camaraderie with other highly talented male vocalists; and, revel in the experience of performing to a sold out audience at Carnegie Hall!! Collin, the youngest chorus member on stage, was even selected to blow the pitch pipe at the beginning of each song!

An even greater experience graced Collin, the audience of 2,600 people, and all of the performers in the famous Carnegie Hall that evening. This memorable evening was designed as a “Tribute to World Peace.” Billed as a USA-Japanese Goodwill Concert, this event raised $12,000 for the organizations that directly help people affected by the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan in March, 2011. The No Borders Youth Chorus’s performance was followed with a performance by the premier Kagoshima Joho High School Wind Orchestra, an area to the southwest of Kagoshima city. This city was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami and everyone in this orchestra has suffered greatly in the tsunami’s aftermath; but, as the Director of the Wind Orchestra stated,“ …this evening is as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Japanese people and is a deeply appreciated ‘thank you’ to the support offered by America.”

Collin’s experience transported him well-beyond his “star.”