There is one place that every concert musician dreams of performing.

It has housed many famous speakers and singers, from Theodore Roosevelt to Liza Minnelli. This place is none other than the renowned Carnegie Hall, and on Feb. 13, the Ames Children’s Choir will be performing there in “Mass of the Children.”

Although a children’s concert is held in conjunction with the American Choral Directors Association national convention each year, this will mark the world premiere of the “Mass of the Children” performance.

The performance will be conducted by well-known composer John Rutter, and will be accompanied by the music of the New England Symphonic Ensemble.

Kris VerSteegt, spokeswoman for the Ames Children’s Choir, says Mid American Productions, the production company responsible for this year’s concert, sent letters out to the top 30 children’s choirs who had the most musical talent and could handle the busy touring schedule. The choir was one of only two choirs chosen for this enormous event, and the first to respond.

“They normally choose the first three choirs to respond, but since the first two were so large, they only chose two this year,” VerSteegt says. “They listened to our CD and said ‘Wow.’ “

The Ames Children’s Choir is made up of 100 singers from 13 different communities in Iowa. The children range in age from 7 to 18, and are separated into three different choirs: chorale, preparatory and concert. Only the concert choir, which is made up of 31 singers ranging in age from 11 to 18, will be singing for the premiere.

Although only a portion of the full group will be going on the trip, VerSteegt says the organization is still beneficial to all of its members.

“The goal of the [Ames Children’s Choir] is to provide a positive music experience where the students can develop self-esteem and learn music literacy through singing,” VerSteegt says. “It’s a really positive experience.”

VerSteegt says the choir will be staying four nights in New York. While in the Big Apple, the students will be attending the hit Broadway musical, “The Lion King,” going on a harbor cruise and visiting Ground Zero. The group will also be singing in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

“St. Patrick’s is the finest cathedral in the U.S. and is comparable to the cathedrals found in Europe. We are also performing in the Winter Garden down by Ground Zero,” VerSteegt says. “I’m jealous I’m not going [to New York].”