Chattanooga residents Wallace and Nancy Braud have five front-row tickets to a show at New York City's Carnegie Hall June 15.
The show features their daughter, second soprano Hannah Braud Cavey, and her "techno pop rock"-flavored a cappella ensemble Antiphony performing the New York premiere of "Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings," written and conducted by Eric Whitacre.
Chattanooga resident Nancy Braud, right, will see her daughter Hannah Cavey perform at Carnegie Hall June 15. Cavey grew up in East Brainerd but now lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with her husband, Phil, and her 8-month-old daughter, Grace."She's always had a love for music," said Wallace Braud. "She's been performing since she was about 6 with very little fear to be on stage, ever."
Cavey helped found the nine-member Antiphony two years ago in her new hometown of Winnipeg, Canada, where she lives with her husband, Phil.
She began singing in front of an audience while growing up at Chattanooga's New City Fellowship church and as a member of the Chattanooga Girls Choir. In high school she was a soloist and ensemble director at Chattanooga Christian School until she graduated in 2003.
"There's a wealth of choral tradition in Chattanooga," Cavey said, "which I was thankful to be a part of."
She said Winnipeg's river and own agricultural heritage make her think of Chattanooga.
"We're sort of in the country part of Canada," she said. "Similarities definitely include the rich musical heritage in both locations."
But she said Antiphony has expanded her repertoire from the traditional "Battle Hymn of the Republic," Shenandoah and Choo Choo numbers she learned down South.
Antiphony's Carnegie performance is described as combining "anime and electronica with choral, cinematic and operatic traditions."
"It's a lot of responsibility on each member to contribute artistically in all these ways," Cavey said. "It's been a growing experience."
Point Douglas Gospel Choir
Cavey also founded the Point Douglas Gospel Choir for aboriginal children in Winnipeg, most of whom come from lower-income and single-parent households.
"We're just real proud of her for taking her skills to do something like that," Wallace Braud said.
The Point Douglas Gospel Choir now gives 12 kids from 8 to 15 years old a creative outlet. This year's all black gospel repertoire was inspired by Cavey's years at New City Fellowship.
"I thought it would be more accessible and be something they could relate to," Cavey said. "They come with energy and excitement and they challenge me every week to know my stuff."
Next year, she said, the choir will explore music of Haiti with earthquake refugees who have joined their group, and she will add Canadian aboriginal music to the mix as well.
For more information visit www.pdgc.ca.