Listen to MCS: Excerpt from Vivaldi's Gloria, movement 1, "Gloria" performed February 5, 2023 at Corpus Christi Church, Mineola, NY
with Mary Beth Gilbert, Soprano and Jennifer DeStio, Mezzo-soprano
MCS 2024 Scholarship Award
Rachel Stiehl
2024
P. J. Haller Vocal Excellence
Award Winner
Each year since 2001, we proudly present the Mineola Choral Society Peter J. Haller Vocal Music Excellence Award to a graduating Mineola High School student who demonstrates talent in vocal performance and plans to continue their musical education. The 2024 winner of the $1,500 scholarship is Rachel Stiehl. Rachel has always been connected to vocal music in particular.
She is a small singer with a big voice and an even bigger heart. She may be the only student in Mineola High School with perfect pitch and an uncanny ability to learn complex and advanced music by ear.
Music Director and Conductor
Dr. Meg Messina
2024-2025 Season
The Mineola Choral Society is getting ready for another exciting season of great choral music complete with professional soloists and orchestra. We'll once again be the guest chorus for the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra annual Christmas Concert. Our Winter Concert features the music of John Rutter including his exquisit Requiem.
We are always looking for singers with good vocal skills who are dedicated to choral music. Go to the Auditions page for more information and to request an appointment.
Her excellence as a singer and motivation to take advantage of the opportunities around her has resulted in numerous featured solos both here at Mineola High School and also over the summer at Camp Hellen Keller. Perhaps most impressive, however, was Rachel's commitment to voluntarily prepare a solo for adjudication by the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA). Her repertoire there includes an Italian aria and classic golden-age of Broadway music. Her results were so good that she earned a spot in the highly competitive All-County Chorus twice. Over the past two years, Rachel has spent time developing her literacy skills by learning how to read music as well. Rachel has overcome physical obstacles, including blindness, to make this all possible.