Singers from Riverland Community College are bringing Mozart to New York this weekend for the National Community College Choral Festival.

Twenty members of the Riverland Concert Choir and Briar's performance group will join three other community college choirs in the Alice Tully Recital Hall at Lincoln Center for a massive show backed by the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra. About 200 people will be involved in the performance.

They will be directed by William Weinert, director of choral activities at Eastman School of Music.

Choir member Carrie Braaten said this would be her first time on a trip like this, however, she has sung with large groups before.

"That's always a really powerful experience," she said. "It's a different sound than with a regular choir."

"It takes it to a whole other level, to sing with professionals and other colleges," said Scott Blankenbaker, the Riverland director. "To sing on stage at Lincoln Center is an experience itself."

This prestigious event is an invite-only affair and marks the second time Riverland has made the trip. In 2000, they sang at Carnegie Hall.

Choir member Andie Lewis said the 2000 trip was "fantastic" and the choir learned a lot from the guest conductor.

"He was just so perfect," she said. "He knew everything. He brought out some dynamics behind the music that some of us never thought of."

Blankenbaker hopes this year's trip will give students the same experience.

"Obviously he would have a lot to offer, coming from one of the most prestigious music schools in the country," he said.

But Braaten said Blankenbaker also holds his own with the best.

"We can make music out of anything," she said. "On paper, you might think, 'Oh, what a pathetic song,' and he makes it incredible."

The music for this weekend is anything but pathetic. The two pieces by Mozart have been the choir's focus since mid-February. In class and on their own, the students have put in hard preparation.

"We've been really plugging away, really trying to learn it," Braaten said. "It's been a journey, but it'll be worth it."

Three-hour-a-day practices in New York will lead up to the big event, which takes place Monday. The rest of the time is for exploring.

"We're pumped," Braaten said. "We're there to do the music, but we're there to tour New York too."

Part of that tour is a midnight ferry ride through New York Harbor followed by a dinner. The group also plans to take in a few Broadway shows.

They are excited. They have put in the work, and they are ready to go.

"Now's the time for the payoff," Lewis said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com