A five-day trip to the nation’s capital where they won national recognition ended with superior ratings back in Florida for John A. Ferguson Senior High School’s “Falcon Singers.”
From Apr. 26 to May 5, the choral group was on a day-to-day schedule, performing three concerts in Washington, DC, followed by a hasty flight to West Palm Beach where the group earned a statewide “superior” ranking.
Highlight of the week was a formal Apr. 30 performance on stage at the John F. Kennedy Center where the group appeared in the “Washington DC International Music Festival.”
The annual World Projects Corporation event affords only the top high school and community ensembles from across the U.S. and around the world the opportunity to perform at the prestigious Kennedy Center.
The Falcon Singers appeared in the concert hall along with the George Washington Middle School Symphonic Orchestra of Alexandria, VA; Woodland High School Wind Ensemble, Woodland, CA, and The Cal Poly Symphony Orchestra, San Luis Obispo, CA.
Other concerts were performed by the Falcon Singers during visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the National Holocaust Museum where the choir dedicated a special selection in memory of those who perished.
“These were life-changing experiences for our group that we will remember forever,” said Cindy Lopez-Gonzalez, one of the 27-member Falcon Singers.
“The last day of their trip, the group had to get up in time for an 8:30 a.m. flight back to make a state competition that same day at West Palm Beach,” said Libby Perez, vice president of the support group and mother of chorus member Lauren Perez.
During the Florida Vocal Association’s state evaluation program, the Falcon Singers topped off the spring break trip by earning straight superior ratings.
“Our community is fortunate to have one of the top vocal groups in the country,” Libby Perez added.
The choral group held a combined jazz/chorus concert to close out its 2011-12 school year performances in the Ferguson High auditorium, May 23, featuring special selections reflecting experiences during visits to the national shrines in Washington, DC. Proceeds from the concert will finance future travel expenses.
“Thank you to all of the community members who helped make this tour possible,” said choir director Ryan Ellis. “I sincerely hope the community will continue to support these talented young people.”
The choral group includes Joel Acosta, Nicolas Benitez, Javier Castellanos, Luis Estopinan, Carolina Formoso, Jovannia Gaggero, Ashley Garcia, Elina Garcia, Gabriel Godoy, Andrea Leon-Moreno, Cindy Lopez-Gonzalez, Maria Marcucci, Jorge Marina, Wesly Martinez, Meagan Martinez, Lauren Mosier, Diana Motta, Lauren Perez, Francheska Portuondo, Austin Sanabria, Raniel Stubbs, David Tarafa, Karen Torres, Lucy-Marie Trabanco, Luisa Villegas, Sandra Rivera and Carlos Vivas.
