By Sara Rogers
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On May 11, the Ambassadors will have the opportunity to sing alongside a professional recording artist. Contemporary Christian artist David Phelps will perform with the Ambassadors in hopes of raising money for Project Uganda. Ambassador and senior Jonathan “Johnny” Hourmozdi said, “It’s a great opportunity. It’s also intimidating, but in a good way. It’s different than anything anyone has ever seen at Carmel High School.”

“We’re trying to contact the public,” choir director Lamonte Kuskye said. “We’re getting out to churches and radio stations. We really want to fill the auditorium for this awesome experience.” Phelps is currently touring nationally and, in 2008, released his fifth and latest solo studio album titled, “The Voice.” Throughout his career, Phelps won multiple Grammy and Dove awards for his music and has performed for President Bush. Anita Rogers, Ambassador and senior, originally contacted Phelps through his Web site.

“They sent an e-mail back to (Rogers) and contacted her about doing a concert,” Kuskye said. “I called them back the next day. It all happened so fast.” Hourmozdi said the opportunity is surreal. “All of the pieces just kind of fell into place. At first we didn’t believe it, like, ‘no he isn’t coming,’ but now it’s happening,” he said.

Kuskye first listened to Phelps after one of his students took him to one of Phelps’ concerts. He said, “He’s an incredible artist, one of the best vocalists I’ve ever heard.” Kuskye then had the Ambassadors perform several of Phelps’ songs including “Virtuoso” and “Love Goes On” during choir competitions this year. Kuskye said he plans to have the Ambassadors sing those two songs as well as others with Phelps.

Hourmozdi, who sings a solo during choir competitions to one of Phelps’ songs, said he is excited to see his solo performed by Phelps. “I’d never heard him before this year,” Hourmozdi said. “Being a vocalist and a tenor, his range is incredible. He hits notes that some girls can’t even hit. It’s exciting to hear that live.”

According to Kuskye , the Ambassadors will perform six songs alongside Phelps. “It’s just going to be this incredible experience,” he said. “We’re like his backup singers. It’s very cool.” Phelps and his band are set to arrive early on May 11 in order to set up practice with the Ambassadors beforehand.

Aside from providing entertainment, the Ambassadors hope to raise money for Project Uganda. The per forming arts department partnered with Building Tomorrow, an organization that works to construct primary schools in Uganda. The organization plans to construct a per forming arts academy for children in Uganda.

“It’s a huge project and we’re trying to incorporate the whole district, trying to make sure that the whole community is involved,” Hourmozdi said. “Hopefully, this concert will help.” All proceeds will go toward the project. Hourmozdi said the Ambassadors hope to raise money based on ticket sales. “Since (Phelps) charges an appearance fee, our hope is to sell more money than the fee, which we very well could,” Hourmozdi said. “The ideal thing is to have a really cool concert while raising money.”

According to Kuskye, “anything that’s raised is a bonus because the concert is for the experience for the Ambassadors and the audience.” Kuskye said he hopes more students come out to the performance. “If we had a thousand students come, it would be so cool,” Kuskye said. “It really is like going to a rock concert at school.”

Hourmozdi said he agrees. “It’s an exciting opportunity to see a real recording artist. Even if you haven’t heard his recordings, he’ll blow you away,” he said. Hourmozdi said he encourages students to attend the concert. “It’s a lot of work for Mr. Kuskye and the Ambassadors,” Hourmozdi said. “It’s worth going out to. It’ll be a really sweet experience.”

Kuskye said, “This concert is a chance for CHS to come together and be inspired while helping raise money for kids across the earth.”