It's been said millions, of times: To get to New York City's Carnegie Hall, you must "practice, practice, practice." For the Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh, it took 42 years of practice -- and a large measure of serendipity.

The choral group, based in the South Hills, will perform in the hallowed hall of music on Sunday, along with six other choral groups. The 200 voices will be accompanied by The New England Symphonic Ensemble, under the direction of renowned conductor/composer Mark Hayes, of Kansas City, Mo.

For most of its four-decades-plus, the Harmony group has been producing an annual show and singing in local venues. But, late last year, serendipity stepped in and Big Apple, here they come.

Cynthia Pratt, director, was attending a clinic conducted by Mr. Hayes, when he mentioned that he would be directing a choir at Carnegie. He asked for volunteers, and she jumped at the chance to audition. The rest is show biz history.

It will be a whirlwind tour for the local singers. They left Pittsburgh this morning and have rehearsals the next two days before an early-morning dress rehearsal on Sunday, and the concert that afternoon. On the program will be three pieces written by Mr. Hayes.

Carnegie Hall opened in May 1891, with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Walter Damrosh leading the New York Symphony and Oratorio Society. Since then, from Winston Churchill to Mark Twain, from Pablo Casals to Enrico Caruso, the hall has been the pinnacle of music and of the lecture circuit.

Of their ''overnight success,'' Ms. Pratt said it is "stimulating, humbling and gratifying to know that we are on that stage.''

Those of us at home will be in sync with the group. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has proclaimed Sunday as "Harmony Singers Day.''

We'll be talking to the song birds when they return and hope to share, in a future edition, more about the group.

The Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus took first place in a regional competition held in Cleveland last month meaning that the songstresses have qualified to compete in October of next year in a prestigious international competition to be held in Nashville.

The chorus sings a-cappella harmony and members perform free for organizations and sometimes sing the National Anthem for Pirates' games.

The group is part of the Sweet Adelines International, which has 600 chapters worldwide singing show tunes, big band favorites, pop and even classical.

For more, visit www.soundsofpgh.org.

Here's a challenge -- and a toast -- to South Hills leaders who are dedicated to improving their neighborhoods.

Markham Vineyards, a Napa Valley winery, sponsors the Mark of Distinction initiative, which awards $25,000 grants to two individuals to assist them in completing neighborhood projects. See MarkhamMarkofDistinction.com for more.