By DEB NICKLAY, Of The Globe Gazette

NEW YORK - No matter how different the landscape, it always seems like Iowa is just around the corner here in New York City.

Besides running into Mason City parents who have decided to catch the Concert Choir's performance at Lincoln Center today, there are other things that sing Iowa.

For instance, director Joel Everist's parents, Norma and Burton Everist. They are here for the choir's performance today as part of the New York Choral Festival.

Both Norma and Burton were from the Mason City area - although Joel never lived in Mason City before accepting the job as choir director at Mason City High School at the age of 25. He grew up in inner-city schools, where his parents, both Lutheran pastors, ministered.

The schools were too poor to have choir programs, so Norma began her own choir programs after school. Oh yes, and one of Norma's parents was a childhood friend of Meredith Willson.

And speaking of Mason City's favorite son, the choir will perform just a stone's throw away from the Meredith Willson Residence Hall at Juilliard School, which is part of the Lincoln Center complex.

Willson was a student at Juilliard and residence halls are named to pay tribute to famous alumni.

As Joel says, "We'll still be performing in the shadow of Meredith Willson, just as we do in Mason City."

And, of course, the choir members on Sunday participated in a clinic with Weston Noble, the choir master at Luther College in Decorah - another Iowa connection.

So impressive was Noble's talk that at least two girls, Bobbie Hugo and Alisha Barr, said they would like nothing better than to ask the esteemed choral expert to the prom.

"You don't think," Hugo deadpanned, "that that would be out of place, do you?"

Sunday in New York doesn't mean relaxation.

After visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, we toured the Empire State Building and then took in the off-Broadway musical, "Stomp!" A great day amid 60-degree temperatures.

We noticed on our travels a large green line painted down the middle of the Fifth Avenue, the route the St. Patrick's Day Parade will follow today. Shamrocks and green beer are being fully advertised.

Deb Nicklay is reporting on the activities of the Mason City Concert Choir during its time in New York City.

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