Costa Mesa choir set to perform at Carnegie Hall

The Costa Mesa High School Madrigal Choir knows that practice, practice, practice is the way to get to Carnegie Hall, where they are set to perform with famed composer and conductor John Rutter on Monday.

After receiving a letter in September inviting the choir to participate in an ensemble performance based on its “quality and high level of musicianship,” the group has spent the entire school year rehearsing the concert’s program — Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” and Mozart’s 30-minute “Coronation” Mass.

On Friday, 23 members of the high school choir depart for New York, joining six other college and adult choirs from around the country for the performance.

“It’s such a great opportunity, and we are very proud to be performing at Carnegie Hall,” said choir director Jon Lindfors.

— Jessie Brunner