West Point Alumni Glee Club (WPAGC) at Carnegie Hall
Updated: January 3, 2017
Folks there is a lot of detailed information here. Please read carefully! Some of this has changed!
- Current Situation: As you all know we are now locked in to singing “Testament of Freedom” in concert on February 19, 2017, 1 pm, at Carnegie Hall, NYC. The FINAL deposit for our performance has been made so your final deposit is now due into us. You should have received an email with confirming information. The WPAGC has been able through ticket sales, to provide a performer refund of $50.
- Schedule (rehearsal times have changed) (Rehearsal Location: Park Central Hotel, Grand Ballroom lower lobby level, 870 7th Avenue and 56th Street): We are scheduled to arrive in NYC circa 3 pm on Thursday (2/16), rehearse four hours Friday afternoon (2/17 1300 to 1700), rehearse four hours Saturday morning (2/18 0900 to 1230), sing in concert on Sunday (2/19 reserve ALL DAY), attend a nice reception afterwards, and depart on Monday (2/20). We have convinced the sponsors to call the concert something like, “The Glory of Freedom: A Concert To Honor Our Veterans on President’s Day Weekend.” If you go to the Carnegie Hall ticketing site, you will find the concert program. Our group will be able to sit and enjoy the half of the concert others are doing. We will sing as part of 280 voices plus orchestra and I believe we will be on first.
- Rehearsal Music: We have created a webpage on our WPAGC site (wpalumnigleeclub.org). You will find it on the left hand side menu at the top called “Testament of Freedom Music.” If you are a WPAGC member who has joined the website AND you are signed in, the webpage will open for you. If you are not signed in, it will ask you for a password (scroll down, so enter “WPAGC” as the “system password” and you will have full access. On this webpage you will now find the sheet music for download for all four movements of Testament. You will also find part rehearsal aids to assist in learning the music. We will be singing from songbooks. WPAGC will provide the black cover for the songbook. Please print out OR order ( (under $10 per copy) your own sheet music. We recommend you print the music on both sides to facilitate page turning. It is advisable to use rehearsal tools to get familiar with the music, parts, lyrics etc. as the eight hours of rehearsal will tend to be used putting the music into ensemble shape by the conductor, ie, not much time to focus on individual parts.
- Publicity: On this website is an updated flyer you can use to let local media know of your participation and to let friends and family know about the event and how to get tickets.
- Tickets: As you know wehad our own advanced sale ticketing site through November 30th. Now ALL ticketing is done at this link: Use code WPA25563 to make half of the ticket price tax deductible IT PAYS TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THIS EVENT IF YOU CAN! Encourage use of the code to obtain a tax deduction and help the Cadet Glee Club.
- Logistics and Administration:
- Uniform: We will be performing in black tuxedo, white (flat collar) tuxedo shirts, black patent leather shoes and socks, black bow tie and cummerbund. We wear miniature medals (if you have them) on the left lapel of the tuxedo. The Alumni Glee Club will loan you our pocket crest to wear on the left pocket. The Vietnam Veteran pin is worn on the right lapel for those who are eligible. If you have not received yours, we will provide them. A document about wear of the miniature medals is posted on the website for your use. We encourage the wear of insignia such as the Order of St Barbara, etc. We DO NOT wear defense staff service insignia such sometimes known as a “liver patch” and similar.
- Possible Additional Performing: We will not be performing on the Intrepid. We may still, however be invited to sing on Fox and Friends.
- Dining/Shows/Other Opportunities: We have a team of volunteers who are trying to arrange some additional (optional) activities. A survey to solicit your preferences has or will be sent by email! Breakfast at the hotel can be obtained for $20 per person per day all inclusive. We have to purchase these vouchers ahead of time to get this price.
- Transportation:
- Bus From Washington DC to NYC and Return: A bus with up to fifty seats will pick us up at the Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington VA. The parking is free for the weekend. The bus will depart at 9 am on February 16, directly to the Holiday Inn Midtown on 57th Street. The bus will pick us up at 10 am on February 20 at the hotel and return to Arlington. We expect to have refreshments and beverages available on the bus. The bus has a bathroom, video, wifi (we believe), luggage space, etc. We will not have use of the bus in NYC. It appears the per person cost of the bus will be under $120 and could go lower if we fill all 50 seats.
- Local Transportation: The rehearsal venues are supposedly within walking distance from the hotel as is Carnegie Hall. Metro cards are available for a small fee that gain access to either subway or bus (crosstown movement). UBER is plentiful in NYC and it is recommended that you arrange for the Uber app if you plan on using the capability.
- Parking: For those who elect to drive, there is a daily parking charge of $45 at the concert hotel. This charge is not included with your hotel fee.