The Bakersfield College Chamber Choir is unable to attend a choir concert with Eric Whitacre at Carnegie Hall in New York on June 15, 2010 due to budget cuts.

Ron Kean, choir professor at BC, submitted the audition tapes to take part in performing with a well-known composer.

Whitacre is “an American composer of choral, wind band and electronic music as well as guest conductor for ensembles throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas,” according to Whitacre’s online page.

Because of budget cuts at BC, the cost was not covered.

“The trip was approved, but later BC decided they couldn’t support a trip out of state being underwritten by state funds,” said Kean.

The cost of attendance was $1,800 per student and 31 singers were going to attend. Although it was a great opportunity for the choir, Kean said he understood the decision of not being able to fund the trip. Kean said he plans to start a choir club soon in order to raise money to make these trips possible.

Christina Gibbs, 18, liberal arts major and part of the chamber choir said, “It was too much money to raise, but it was crushing to get our hopes up and then it being a ‘just kidding’ moment.”

The Chamber choir takes part in Division, State and National Conventions where submission tapes are also required.

“To get accepted to these conventions is also a huge honor,” said Kean.