High School Choir Tapes Segment For AETN Program

— The Gravette High School Select Choir, directed by Rachel Galloway, will be featured in a special program on AETN next month. The choir is one of only 13 Arkansas choral groups selected for the “Celebrate America” musical special with national acclaimed composer Tim Janis and his ensemble.

“Celebrate America” will air on the Arkansas Educational Television Channel, Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m.

The choir is pictured above at the taping, which took place several weeks ago in Conway.

The GHS choir members were among some 500 students from Arkansas schools. “They arrived well prepared and very professional,” said AndreaPrescott, press coordinator for the Janis ensemble.

Janis created this special “to spotlight our nation’s youth and pull communities together in a celebration of music that uplifts and inspires,” Prescott said.

The Gravette students did an exceptional job singing ‘This Little Light of Mine’,” she added.

Local students commenting on the experience included Sydney Nease who said, “It was awesome to perform in front of the person who composed the song.”

Dallas Hubanks said, “(I) didn’t know what to expect coming to the studio. It was pretty exciting to be there.”

Another student, Molly Leemasters, exclaimed, “Ihope the people are inspired for we were happy performing.”

Prescott explained further that “Celebrate America teaches children the importance of contributing to community through the arts. The program “is also a fund raising event during Public Television’s pledge drive.”

Galloway said that the GHS choral department will receive a $500 donation from Hal Leonard Music to buy choral music “if our area has 50 donations to AETN for $40 each and if people donating specifically say it is because of Gravette High School.” Donors will also receive a CD or DVD of the broadcast.

Such donations may be made by calling AETN, 1-800-662-2386, ext. 20, Galloway explained.

The Gravette choir was the only one from northwest Arkansas to perform. Other choral groups were high school choirs from Greenbrier, Parkview Arts Magnet, Arkansas Baptist, Russellville, Dardanelle, Valley View, Sheridan, Wynne, Sylvan Hills, Searcy, Crossett and Harding Academy.

“AETN really put a lot of effort into creating this special. It takes a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ effort to bring this great opportunity for students together. I believe the fabric of our nation is the strength found in our local communities. We need to stay connected and committed with a spirit of serving one another to the best of our abilities,” Janis said.

News, Pages 1 on 02/03/2010