Perform with Mark Sumner at Carnegie Hall

June 20, 2027

Join us at the iconic Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall for a distinguished performance of Dvořák’s Mass in D Major, conducted by Mark Sumner, Director of Music at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco.

Carnegie Hall Residency 2027 Event Overview

  • Residency dates: June 17, 2027 – June 21, 2027
  • Date: Sunday, June 20, 2027
  • Performance: Dvořák’s Mass in D major, conducted by Dr. Mark Sumner
  • Venue: Carnegie Hall (Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage), New York City
  • Participating Groups: Areté Singers (primary), UUSF Choir (main chorus collecting fees for UU participants and other Mark Sumner-affiliated singers), UC Alumni Chorus, Golden Gate Symphony Chorus and other Areté Singers affiliated performers
  • Tour Management: Areté Singers handles group activities for all participating choruses
    • Experience: Optional 5-day curated “Carnegie Hall NYC Experience” (June 17–21, 2027) with group flight, hotels, meals, activities, a Broadway show, walking tours, Hudson River cruise, and more — à la carte (no mandatory activities except the performance for singers)

Bay Area Concerts & Rehearsals

  • San Francisco Bay Area Rehearsals and Concerts
    • Rehearsals starting late April 2027/early May 2027 (subject to change)
      • San Francisco: Thursdays, 8:15pm–9:30pm, UUSF
      • Berkeley: Mondays: 7:00pm-9:30pm, UC Berkeley
      • San Francisco: Saturdays, 10:00am–1:00pm
    • Carnegie Hall Residency Chorus, conducted by Mark Sumner
      • Dress Rehearsal: June 12, 2027, 10:00am-12:30, UUSF
      • Concert: Sunday, June 13, 2027, 11:00am, UUSF

Participation Options & Required Fees

All participants pay a $50 Areté Singers Residency Management Fee (per person).

Carnegie Hall Residency deposits, payments, and Residency Management Fee are non-refundable

Carnegie Hall Residency Schedule

  • Day 1
    • Arrival in New York City
    • Group Air from SFO to JFK  
    • Group shuttle from JFK to Hotel Edison
    • Group Hotel Check-in 
  • Day 2
    • One chorus rehearsal with guest conductor and piano accompaniment in the morning or afternoon
    • Directors meeting during first rehearsal
    • The rest of day is free
    • Walking Tour 1 with Dennis Butzlaff
    • Group Dinner
    • Broadway Show
  • Day 3
    • One chorus rehearsal with guest conductor and piano accompaniment in the morning or afternoon
    • The rest of day is free
    • Walking Tour 2 with Dennis Butzlaff
    • NYC Landmark Tour
  • Day 4
    • Final dress rehearsal in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
    • Concert in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall
    • Post-concert cruise around the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan with music, dancing, dinner, and two drinks provided.
  • Day 5
    • AM Walking Tour 3 with Dennis Butzlaff
    • Group Shuttle from Hotel Edison to JFK
    • Group AIr from JFK to SFO
    • Departure from NYC

Performer Residency (Singers)

  • Required Residency Fee — $1,399 per performer
    • Included:
      • Professional artistic development of your concert including venue, conductor, soloists,
        New England Symphonic Ensemble orchestra management, labor, and personnel in the hall.
      • Professional promotion and publicity of your concert including Playbill preparation,
        posters, and press releases.
      • MidAmerica Productions staff onsite to manage all concert-related activities from the
        rehearsals to the post-concert reception cruise:
        • Performance at Carnegie Hall on June 20, 2027
        • Dress Rehearsal at Carnegie on June 20, 2027
        • Rehearsal at Residency Hotel on June 19, 2027
        • Rehearsal at Residency Hotel on June 18, 2027
      • The exclusive post-concert reception cruise features a two-hour sail around the
        Hudson River with spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and
        the New York City skyline.
        • Music, dancing, a dinner buffet, and two drink tickets included; extra drink tickets can be
          purchased on board. Guests must be at least 21 years old to consume alcoholic
          beverages on the cruise
      • All participants will receive a replica of the large marquee poster announcing your
        concert in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.
  • Areté Singers Uniform (required for performance):
    • Women’s Concert Black Tunic: $45 (XS–XL); $50 (XXL–4XL) (Areté Singers will coordinate)
    • Men’s Concert Black Tie + Handkerchief Set: $20 (Areté Singers will coordinate)
    • Black Music Folder/Binder with printed music (no tablets allowed on the Carnegie Hall stage)  (individual purchase)
  • Group Print order for music: $10 — Due April 1, 2027 (Areté Singers will coordinate)

Payment Schedules (non-refundable):

  • The first payment includes the $50 Areté Singers Residency Management fee
  • Payment 1: $350 (September 1, 2026)
  • Payment 2: $350 (November 1, 2026)
  • Payment 3: $275 (January 1, 2027)
  • Payment 4: $275 (February 1, 2027)
  • Payment 5: $199 (Mar 1, 2027)

Non-Performer Residency (Guests Attending Dinner Cruise, Rehearsals & Concert)

  • Required Non-performer Residency Fee — $599 per performer
  •  Inclusions:
    • Access to all rehearsals (including closed dress rehearsal at Carnegie Hall),
    • One Parquet/Main level concert ticket (~$125 value),
    • Hudson River Cruise (same as above) (~$179 value)

Payment Schedules (non-refundable):

  • The first payment includes the $50 Areté Singers Residency Management fee
  • Payment 1: $350 (September 1, 2026)
  • Payment 2: $100 (January 1, 2027)
  • Payment 3: $100 (February 1, 2027)  
  • Payment 4: $99 (March 1, 2027)

Carnegie Hall NYC Experience Add-Ons

(Costs estimated as of July 2026; Optional & À La Carte)

All participants pay a $50 Carnegie Hall NYC Experience Management Fee (per person).

  • Professional management of curated activities and events
  • Air Travel (RT non-stop SFO–JFK, Jun 17–21; American Airlines): $750–$850 (optional)
    • Includes:
      • Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats at booking (expected January 2027)
      • Priority check-in, security and boarding (Group 3) 
      • First 2 checked bags free with Priority handling 
      • Same-day standby priority
      • Same booking confirmation code
    • Payments
      • Deposit: $50 (due July 1, 2026) 
      • $300 (November 1, 2026) 
      • $300 (December 1, 2026) 
      • balance (January 1, 2027) 
    • Ground Transportation (RT JFK – Hotel Edison, incl. hotel porterage/tips): $100 per person (due May 1, 2027)
      • Required if participating in group air travel on American Airlines and group Hotel at Hotel Edison.
  • Hotel (Hotel Edison, 4-star Midtown; 4 nights, breakfast daily, High-speed wireless internet access, 24/7 fitness center access, complimentary wine bar, in-room bottled water):
    • Single queen (Single/Double occ): $1,600/$1,700
    • Double queen (Double/Triple/Quad occ): $1,800/$1,900/$2,000
    • Deposit: 25% (March 1, 2027)
    • Payment: 25% (April 1, 2027) 
    • Payment: 25% (May 1, 2027)
    • Payment: 25% (June 1, 2027)
  • Group Activities (optional):
    • Group Dinner on Friday June 18, 2027: $70 (due  February 1, 2027)
    • Broadway Musical orchestra seats on Jun 18, 2027: $130–$150 (due February 1, 2027)
    • NYC Landmark Tour-Rockefeller Center on Sat Jun 19): $30 (due April 1, 2027)
    • Broadway Museum Tour on Mon, Jun 21: $37 General (13-61); $35 Senior (62+); $31 Student (6-12) (due April 1, 2027)
    • Walking Tours with certified guide Dennis Butzlaff: $15 (Fri, June 18), $15 (Sat, June 19), $15 (Mon, June 21) Each Tour is Limited to 25 people (due June 1, 2027)
  • Non-residency guests participation on Dinner Cruise: $130/person. Subject to availability. (due April 1, 2027) (optional)
  • Ground Transportation from Carnegie Hall to Chelsea Pier 61 return to Hotel Edison Times Square: $48/person. (due May 1, 2027) (optional)

How to Register & Pay

  1. Complete the Carnegie Hall Residency Registration 2027 form (5–15 min; requires government ID name; select à la carte options).
  2. The registration form has two components:
    • Carnegie Hall Residency Performance (required): Two organizations are currently coordinating this residency:  UUSF and Areté Singers. Your affiliated organization will determine your payment process below:
    • Carnegie Hall NYC Experience (optional group activities): Areté Singers is coordinating all group activities for all performers involved with UU and Areté Singers.
  3. Non-performer residency versus a non-performer guest.
    If your Carnegie Hall residency partner(s) wish to attend the chorus rehearsals at the residency hotel and the dress rehearsal with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall, they must register as a non-performer resident and pay the required deposit plus the residency management fee ($350).

    If they do not register for the non-performer residency, they should register as a guest and pay the $50 Carnegie Hall NYC Experience management fee. Your guest can purchase individual tickets for the concert, the shuttle from Carnegie Hall to Chelsea Pier and the Hudson River cruise.

  4. All San Francisco Bay Area singers includes Areté Singers, UUSF (all UU churches and Mark Sumner-affiliate singers),  Golden Gate Symphony Chorus and UC Alumni Chorus pay $350 initial deposit, covering the $300 Residency deposit plus the $50 Areté Singers Residency Management fee.
    • Deposits will be accepted for the Carnegie Hall NYC Experience which includes all group activities.  A separate management $50 fee covers the coordination of group activities.  You can view the deposit schedule below.
    • For Areté Singers Payments (Areté Singers residency deposits, management fee, and experience components):
      • Zelle to Areté Singers (702-286-7464) (Preferred)
      • Venmo: @timsalaver
      • Check: Payable to Areté Singers, 11921 West Vomac Road, Dublin, CA 94568
  5. Forward to interested singers (each resident performer and resident non-performer must register individually for Carnegie security).

Deadline to register: September 1, 2026

Areté Singers’ NYC Walking Tours

Discover the City’s Musical Soul During Our Carnegie Hall Trip!

Join your fellow singers for three unforgettable walking tours in New York City, starting at Hotel Edison, 228 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036. Crafted for our Carnegie Hall performers and guests, these tours uncover iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and NYC’s vibrant musical history. Led by passionate guides, each tour celebrates our love of music with fascinating stories and group camaraderie.

Each tour is capped at 25 persons.  $15 per person.

RSVP to tim@aretesingers.com by May 1, 2027, to secure your spot!

Tour #1: Times Square to Rockefeller Center – Icons & Musical LegacyPerfect for sparking your performer’s spirit!

Friday, June 18, 2025, Time TBD:  Meet at Hotel Edison, 228 W 47th St, ~1 mile, ~2 hours, easy pace
Explore dazzling Times Square, Ed Sullivan Theater, Rockefeller Center, Diamond District, Radio City Music Hall, 5th Avenue, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Highlights:

  • Broadway’s musical roots
  • Disco and TV performance history
  • Rockefeller’s urban elegance

Tour #2: Hudson Yards to Bryant Park – Modern Marvels & Classic NYCIdeal for discovering NYC’s cultural pulse!

Saturday, June 19, 2025, Time TBD: Meet at Hotel Edison, ~1.6 miles, + subway ($3–$6 round-trip, credit card on-site, ~2.5 hours, leisurely pace
Take the subway to Hudson Yards, High Line, Madison Square Garden, Macy’s Herald Square, Fashion/Garment District, and Bryant Park.  Option to take the subway or walk back.

Highlights:

  • Hudson Yards’ bold architecture
  • Madison Square Garden’s music legacy
  • Macy’s parade history

Tour #3: Greenwich Village – Music, Culture & Nightlife HistoryPerfect for craving NYC’s creative soul!

Monday, June 21, 2027, 9:30 AM: Meet at Hotel Edison, 228 W 47th St, ~1.5 miles + subway ($6–$9 round-trip, credit card on-site, ~2.5 hours, easy pace

Ride the subway to Greenwich Village to see Washington Square Park, The Blue Note, The Comedy Cellar, Cafe Wha, Bleecker Street, Stonewall Inn, “Friends” Apartment, Electric Lady Studios, and Public Theater.

Note: Museum of Broadway tour at 12:00 PM

Highlights:

  • Village’s nightclub and Hamilton history
  • Stonewall and Hendrix’s cultural impact

RSVP to tim@aretesingers.com by May 1, 2027, to secure your spot!

Sing, explore, and celebrate with Areté Singers in NYC!

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

Due Date

Components / Fees Due

Amount(s)

Notes / Eligibility

July 1, 2026

Air Travel – Payment #1

$50

For those opting into group flights

September 1, 2026

Standard Performer Residency Fee – Payment #1

$350

 

September 1, 2026

Standard Non-Performer Residency Fee – Payment #1

$350

 

November 1, 2026

Performer Residency Fee – Payment #2

$350

November 1, 2026

Air Travel – Payment #2

$300

December 1, 2026

Air Travel – Payment #3

$300

January 1, 2026

Performer Residency Fee – Payment #3

$275

January 1, 2027

Non-Performer Residency Fee – Payment #2

$100

Updated from Sep 15

January 1, 2027

Air Travel – Remaining balance

Balance of airfare

Final air payment

February 1, 2027

Performer Residency Fee – Payment #4

$275

February 1, 2027

Non-Performer Residency Fee – Payment #3

$100

February 1, 2027

Broadway Musical (full payment) May 18 event day

$130–$150

Optional activity

March 1, 2027

Performer Residency Fee – Final Payment

$199

Early only

March 1, 2027

Non-Performer Residency Fee – Final Payment

$99

March 1, 2027

Hotel Edison – Payment #1 (25%)

25%

March 20, 2027

Concert Tickets for sale

Varies

On MidAmerica website

April 1, 2027

Hotel Edison – Payment #2 (25%)

25%

April 1, 2027

Areté Singers-only Uniform payments

Women’s Concert Black Tunic:                $45 (XS–XL); $50 (XXL–4XL);

Men’s Concert Black Tie + Handkerchief Set: $20

 

April 1, 2027

Music Score Payment

$20

tablets are not allowed on the Carnegie Hall stage

April 1, 2027

Group Dinner on May 18

$70 per person

Inclusive of tax and service charge

April 1, 2027

Dinner Cruise for Non-residency guests

$130 per person

 

April 1, 2027

NYC Landmark-Rockefeller Center on May 19

$30 per person

Optional

April 1, 2027

Museum of Broadway on May 21

$37 General

$35 Senior

$31 Student

Includes NYC tax

May 1, 2027

Hotel Edison – Payment #3 / Final (25%)

25% (balance)

May 1, 2027

Ground Transportation (RT airport hotel, full)

$100 per person

May 1, 2027

Ground Transportation (Cruise Shuttle)

$48 per person

June 1, 2027

Hotel Edison – Payment #4 / Final (25%)

25% (balance)

June 1, 2027

Walking Tour 1

$15 per person

Limited to 25 people

June 1, 2027

Walking Tour 2

$15 per person

Limited to 25 people

June 1, 2027

Walking Tour 3

$15 per person

Limited to 25 people