The Lazar Chamber Choir, an audition-based choral group of grade 7 and grade 8 students, was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall on April 13, 2025. The singers were part of a choir that was titled the “Gilpin Chorus.” Conducted by renowned conductor and composer Greg Gilpin, the Lazar Chamber Choir was among eight other choirs who had been selected from across the United States.

A Lazar YouTube Chamber Choir Video Earns the Singers an Invite to Perform at Carnegie Hall - The 41 Member Choir Was Conducted By Renowned Composer Greg Gilpin

Montville Township Public Schools

May 16, 2025

The Robert R. Lazar Middle School Chamber Choir of 41 grade 7 and 8 students performed at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, April 13, 2025. When a YouTube video of them singing a work by renowned conductor and composer Greg Gilpin, was brought to the attention of Distinguished Concerts International New York [DCINY], the Montville Township Public Schools middle school students were invited to sing two new works at Carnegie Hall. Gilpin conducted.

Forty-one students from Robert R. Lazar Middle School performed on Carnegie Hall’s iconic Perelman Stage. The concert was held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in the historic Stern Auditorium. The Lazar Chamber Choir, an audition-based choral group of grade 7 and grade 8 students, was invited to sing at the Carnegie Hall concert. The singers were part of a choir that was titled the “Gilpin Chorus.” Conducted by renowned conductor and composer Greg Gilpin, the Lazar Chamber Choir was among eight other choirs who had been selected from across the United States.

“Generally, choirs apply for this type of opportunity and go through multiple levels of screening before being accepted,” explained Lazar music teacher Jordan Green. “However, Distinguished Concerts International New York [DCINY] found a video of Lazar’s Chamber Choir singing a Greg Gilpin piece on YouTube and contacted me over the summer, with a direct invitation to perform.”

Green founded the Lazar Chamber Choir three years ago. As members of the “Gilpin Chorus,” the Lazar Chamber Choir participated in the premiere of two brand new pieces at the concert, one of which was written by Gilpin, and the other was written by composer Penny Rodriguez, who was also in attendance.

Gilpin, who is regarded as a pivotal figure in the world of choral music and music education, is known for his engaging compositions and dedication to nurturing young talent. The composer conductor invited choir members to audition for small group features. Two members of the Lazar Chamber Choir, eighth grade singers Max Belov and Aadit Tembe, were selected.

“This trip was more than a performance,” explained Green, “It was a social and cultural experience for these young singers. Meeting other singers from around the country, and working with a conductor different from their own, provided a window into other ways of thinking, speaking, and music-making. Our Lazar singers enjoyed every moment of the trip, from the rehearsal process, to the moment they sang their last note, which reverberated throughout Carnegie Hall like pure musical magic.”

The Lazar Chamber Choir began rehearsing the music for the original compositions with Green February.

“In addition to weekly chamber rehearsals and our bi-annual Saturday retreat, the Chamber Choir had three rehearsals with Gilpin,” Green said, noting that those sessions were held on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the show.

“The students rehearsed for an hour on the Carnegie stage prior to their performance,” Green added. 

Robert R. Lazar Middle School is one of seven schools in the Montville Township Public Schools [MTPS] district. The district has five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. MTPS is a pre-kindergarten to grade 12 district located in Morris County, New Jersey. Lazar has a student population of 802. Roughly two-thirds of the Lazar student body sing in a choral group. Many also play an instrument. For nine years in a row, MTPS has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the nation by the National Association of Music Merchants [NAMM].

Being invited to perform at Carnegie Hall by being “discovered” on a YouTube video, speaks to the standards and commitment to music education set by Green and the entire music education team throughout the MTPS district.

In addition to performing at Carnegie Hall, the Lazar Chamber Choir also attended a Broadway show and enjoyed bowling in the Big Apple. The 3-day trip was an experience that students will remember for a lifetime. 

Robert R. Lazar Middle School music teacher Jordan Green listens as the Lazar Chamber Choir performs at Carnegie Hall. Green described the musical abilities of the grade 7 and 8 students as they sang at Carnegie Hall as “Pure musical magic.”

Robert R. Lazar Middle School music teacher Jordan Green listens as the Lazar Chamber Choir performs at Carnegie Hall. Green described the musical abilities of the grade 7 and 8 students as they sang at Carnegie Hall as “Pure musical magic.”

Two members of the Robert R. Lazar Middle School Chamber Choir, eighth grade singers Max Belov and Aadit Tembe, auditioned and were selected to perform small group features at Carnegie Hall under the direction of renowned composer and conductor Greg Gilpin. Aadit Tembe is center in the trio, Max Belov stands to the right in the trio, and renowned composer and conductor Greg Gilpin conducts eight choirs from across the USA, including the 41 members of the Lazar Chamber Choir.

Two members of the Robert R. Lazar Middle School Chamber Choir, eighth grade singers Max Belov and Aadit Tembe, auditioned and were selected to perform small group features at Carnegie Hall under the direction of renowned composer and conductor Greg Gilpin. Aadit Tembe is center in the trio, Max Belov stands to the right in the trio, and renowned composer and conductor Greg Gilpin conducts eight choirs from across the USA, including the 41 members of the Lazar Chamber Choir.