Why? The Gabriel Singers have been invited to New York to participate in the performance “With Grace: The Music of Gwyneth Walker”, produced by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), on November 29.

“We are nervous about how our Australian accents might stand out when we are blended with a group of American choirs,” says director of music, Melinda Sawers.

“This is the first time that the girls have been overseas together as a group and they are rapt that they are going to such an exciting city as New York, both for the musical opportunities they will experience while they are there, as well as the promise of shopping!

“All of us realise what a unique and special opportunity this is and as their conductor, I hope that this experience will be one of the defining moments of their education.”

The auditioned choir, which consists of 35 regular members, ranging from Years 9-12, was established in 2011 and “focuses on a range of musical styles from jazz and contemporary songs to a cappella Renaissance pieces,” says Melinda.

As a result of being awarded first place in the National Choral Eisteddfod at Llewellyn Hall in 2013, “the choir was approached by a representative of Distinguished Concerts International New York, and invited to attend the event in New York.

The Gabriel Singers will perform at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall to celebrate the work of American composer Gwyneth Walker.

“Her songs are the right blend of challenging and enjoyable, and are written with beautiful melodies and rich harmonies,” says Melinda.

“Our favourite piece is her unique arrangement of ‘This Train’, in which she pushes the singer’s capabilities with complex harmonies and rhythms.”

DCINY is a creative producing entity that works with national and international artists and organisations to present full-scale choral masterworks, chamber music and instrumental performances. Its concerts often feature a particular composer, and Gwyneth Walker was chosen this year “due to the way her music is very enjoyable and accessible to female choirs,” Melinda says.

The composer has written more than 300 compositions for orchestra, chamber ensembles, chorus, solo voice, and individual instruments, inspired by poetry, scriptures, hymns, ballads and folk tales.

Gwyneth Walker will be present as composer-in-residence.

“The Gabriel Singers are “looking forward to the opportunity to work with a composer on her own pieces. It will be very exciting and uplifting to perform her songs to her live,” says Melinda.

The concert will also feature the Colorado Women’s Chorale, the Pennsylvania Nazareth Academy Chorale, St Mary’s College Women’s Choir from Indiana, Voca Lyrica from Michigan and the Williamsburg Women’s Chorus from Virginia, most of which are of university age, making the Gabriel Singers the youngest group to participate.