The April 6 choral performance at Carnegie Hall. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Oliver outside of Carnegie Hall pointing to the performance he is in. (Image: Jacqueline Wong)

More than 100 voices all singing in harmony as though they had been performing together for years.

The truth, though, is many had only met a few days earlier when they converged in New York City to rehearse for what I’m guessing was all of their debuts at Carnegie Hall.

On that stage earlier this month was my nephew, Oliver. He was part of the choral group known as The Dominguez Singers.

Collectively, all the groups were part of the New England Symphonic Ensemble.

Oliver was selected to participate by Raul Dominguez, former director of the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus. Dominguez chose Loretta K. Notareschi’s Climate Mass, making this the world premiere of the chamber orchestra version of this piece.

Oliver’s group along with four other choirs sang that song as well as Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare.

Such revered venues don’t always meet one’s expectations. Carnegie Hall, though, did not disappoint. The acoustics in this national historic landmark that opened in 1891 are incredible. Even without a performance it’s something to experience.

But we were there for the show, not the building. The eight of us were in awe as we watched someone we knew be part of something so incredible. There is something about being in the room where it happens.