Jackson Heights Choir Recruiting Talent For High Line Opera

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS -- A Jackson Heights choir wants to be among the 1,000 voices that will turn New York City into an opera house in a performance spanning Chelsea's famous High Line.

Pulitzer-prize winner David Lang wrote "The Mile-Long Opera: a biography of 7 o'clock" to be performed along the High Line by community choirs from all five boroughs Oct. 3 - 7. A thousand singers belting hundreds of New Yorkers' personal stories about life in the city will be positioned throughout the elevated park, Patch previously reported.

"You might hear them all together, in a haze, as you walk by. Or you might lean in and hear each story," Lang said in a statement.

It sounded like a brilliant idea to Juan Valencia, director of the Jackson Heights Community Chorus, but he said his local group is five members short of the singers they need to be in the performance..

"There are 32 choirs participating, and we are one of them," Valencia told Patch. "We're in need of five performers."

Valencia hopes to fill the slots by putting out flyers recruiting volunteers to sing in the "historic NYC event." Those interested, he said, can contact him directly at 917-200-7559 or via email.

"Our choir is singing a beautiful melody line that is short and very easy to sing," Valencia said. "It is a great and unique life opportunity you don't want to miss."

Rehearsals for the legendary concert are right around the corner as soon as Wednesday, where singers will practice from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Two more practice rounds will be held at the High Line Park from 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 21 and Oct. 1

The show itself will premier Oct. 3 - 7 from 7 to 10 p.m.