Kudos to the Glen Cove Select Chorale (Glen Cove, NY) and Director Edward Norris on their selection to sing carols at the White House this Friday, December 13. They will sing a five-hour set before national dignitaries, including U.S. Senators and Representatives, and possibly President Obama as well.
Mr. Norris’s 49-member chorale was chosen among hundreds of groups that apply each year to sing at the White House. They are “among a handful of choirs comprising approximately 50 acts from across the country, including string quartets, harpists, and soloists,” as noted on the school’s website. This remarkable group of students has worked hard to attain this honor. In the past the GCHS Select Choir has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, LeFrak Concert Hall (Queens College), the United Nations Building, and Citi Field and Shea Stadium.
The support of local politicians should also be noted. Unsure how to apply, Mr. Norris first reached out to Mayor Ralph Suozzi, who pointed him toward Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington). Rep. Israel reached out to the White House to obtain the application, which Norris submitted along with the chorale’s recordings. A few months later, Glen Cove received confirmation of acceptance. What a wonderful example of the collaboration between a music educator and political leaders to help a talented group of music students display their abilities nationally!
Catherina Hurlburt, Special Assistant, December 12, 2013. © National Association for Music Education (NAfME.org)
