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Barry Green, the minister of music at Bonsack Baptist Church, is as excited about going to New York and singing at Carnegie Hall as the members of his adult choir at the church.

The choir received the invitation in September while composer and pianist Mark Hayes of Kansas City, Mo., conducted a musical retreat. Hayes worked with the choir a few hours before extending the invitation to perform in a mass choir with him June 1.

"They made my music sound wonderful. I just was really amazed with the quality," Hayes said in a recent telephone interview.

"Barry Green and the choir at Bonsack Baptist showed exemplary musicianship, and I knew they would be an asset to my next Carnegie Hall performance. They were well prepared and understood what it meant to take my music to the next level of artistry, which is rare in most church choirs," Hayes said. About 77 members of the nearly 100-voice Bonsack choir will make the trip, which will cost about $1,500 per person. They will rehearse May 30 and 31 with Hayes; a mass choir that also includes a high school choir from Kansas; and the New England Symphonic Ensemble for the June 1 premiere of Hayes' "Magnificat" and "Spirit Suite," and the Carnegie Hall premiere of his "Te Deum."

The two days of intense rehearsals and a dress rehearsal with the orchestra in Carnegie Hall will give the choir "a chance to experience the beauty, resonance and mystique of such a revered place," Hayes said.

His first appearance in Carnegie Hall in May "was like nothing I've ever experienced," Hayes said.

"To conduct in such an historic venue is an honor. The sound is truly legendary. The audience loved the music we created. I was hooked. I knew I wanted to come back and do it again. I'm so pleased to share this opportunity with the Bonsack Baptist Church choir."

Hayes' career has included international tours to Europe, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Brazil. His music can be found in the music libraries at churches and universities across the country.

Hayes also is known for his choral settings, which draw from diverse styles such as gospel, jazz, pop, folk and classical to achieve a truly American sound.

In addition to his involvement in the sacred and secular choral-music fields, Hayes is sought after as an orchestrator and record producer. He is a recipient of the Standard Award from ASCAP; and his album "I've Just Seen Jesus" received the Dove Award.

"Empowering church musicians has always been one of my goals," he said. Hayes regularly serves as a clinician at arranging, orchestration and piano improvisation workshops. He also is co-creator of a multilevel piano method series designed for young church pianists.

Of the Bonsack choir's trip to Carnegie Hall, Green said, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The choir began rehearsing during a retreat Jan. 18 and 19. Members also will be practicing for Holy Week services in addition to singing for two services on Sunday mornings.

The choir is also pursuing some funding for the trip, Green said. "Performing in Carnegie Hall does not come cheap. No funds will be channeled away from other church programs, so choir members are seeking corporate and individual sponsorships."

The choir, Green said, has a history of performing on the road but this is the first time it has been asked to perform at a venue like Carnegie Hall. "There's no one more excited than I."