By DEB NICKLAY, Of The Globe Gazette

NEW YORK - Mason City's Concert Choir proved to New York City what everyone in North Iowa already knows: This high school choir is among the best in the nation.

That distinction was measured in two ways Monday at Lincoln Center during the New York City Choral Festival.

The first was by the concert-goers who rose spontaneously to their feet at the end of the choir's signature selection, "Bandari", cheering and clapping in ovation.

"It was," said junior choir member Jon Vivian, "exhilarating."

The second example was when the choir received the highest rating during the festival, given by some of the best choral masters in the country, including Weston Noble of Luther College in Decorah. The results were unofficial Monday night, but two judges had already informed the choir of their decision, said Mason City choir director Joel Everist.

The choir was one of seven high school groups invited to perform at the festival. The Mason City choir was the last act on the program, a spot usually reserved for the best choirs.

The group immediately commanded the stage with their first selection, "Daemon," before switching to the inspirational selection, "Sing me to Heaven".

But it was "Bandari," featuring several soloists and dancers, that topped the flawless program. The audience gave the choir a standing ovation, the only one given any of the choirs at the festival.

"I just sang as best as I could, and I sang all out," said Cassie Bailey.

Everist said he was proud of his students and of their hard work.

But even more, he said, he was proud of the way they opened their hearts to the music they sang.

"They will always remember this event, and when they went beyond the music. They opened up and shared, and the audience felt that."

The concert marked among the last performances for some senior choir members. Some, like Alisha Barr, will begin a career in music at Luther College; others, like Ryan Borcherding and Alexandra Marinos, will study the performing arts.

But wherever the seniors go, this experience will remain a colorful and emotional snapshot of their time in New York City, and on the stage at the great Lincoln Center.

"I felt really great singing on stage; the emotion just flew out," said John Wiedenheft. "I was crying during the last song on stage. It was all really fun. It just added to the elation I felt."

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