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Health & Fitness

Glen Cove HS Select Chorale Performs at the White House


Glen Cove High School Choral Director Edward Norris and the Glen Cove High School Select Chorale returned from a triumphant trip to Washington D.C. where they performed at the White House on Friday Dec. 13th. The group sang to an audience of national dignitaries, led by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

The Select Chorale was told that the President and First Lady would likely stop in for a brief hello. The GCHS students were overjoyed when President Obama entered the room and said “Hey Glen Cove” before stopping to shake hands and talk with every member of the Select Chorale.

The group also made stops at Union Station, the U.S. Capitol and the White House Christmas Tree – they were permitted to carol at the latter two. Superintendent of Schools Maria L. Rianna met the students down in D.C. and was proud to be a part of the experience.

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“I was honored to join them; never has a group of students represented a school so well,” said Ms. Rianna. “They touched the hearts of people wherever they went.”

Hundreds of groups from throughout the United States apply to play the White House every year and it is a tremendous honor to be chosen. The GCHS Select Chorale was the only group from the area to perform there this year and is among a handful of choirs comprising approximately 50 acts from across the country, including string quartets, harpists, and soloists. 

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Mr. Norris thanks Glen Cove City Mayor Ralph Suozzi and Congressman Steve Israel for helping to make this trip a reality.


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