Warwick Valley Meistersingers hit high note

Warwick —Twenty-five high school singers have been invited to perform at The Disney Honors National Concert Band, Orchestra and Choral Invitational at the Walt Disney World resort. Under the direction of Lois Heller, the Warwick Valley High School Meistersingers will be attending and performing at the festival, which showcases the nation’s premier high school choral ensembles, concert bands and orchestras. The Meistersingers, a select a cappella group, were nominated by the New York Music Educators Association to apply to the festival for their second time. The group was honored to attend to the inaugural Disney Honors event in 2005. Based on their musical and artistic excellence and their taped submission, the Meistersingers were selected again among choral groups across the country to perform at the upcoming festival, to be held on April 13-16 of next year. These dedicated vocalists will have the opportunity to present an outstanding performance for a nationally recognized adjudication panel. Following each performance, judges will conduct personal feedback clinics with each group. In addition, the students will have the special opportunity to attend one-hour master classes, a special Disney Seminar and a themed evening social event where they can meet other young musicians from across the country. The festival concludes with a semi-formal gala event where each ensemble is recognized and presented with the Disney Honors Award. “We’re very proud of the accomplishments of the Meistersingers, led by their director, Mrs. Lois Heller,” said school superintendent Dr. Frank Greenhall. “To have been selected from top choral groups from across the nation is quite an achievement. We are all excited about this unparalleled, enlightening opportunity for these unique students.” Prior to the event, the Meistersingers will be holding several fund-raising events to help defray the transportation and accommodation expenses of their trip to the festival. For their first fundraiser, Meistersingers members are selling the Entertainment Book 2007. At $30 each (payable to Warwick Valley High School Chorus), these thick, coupon-laden books offer discounts at merchants throughout our tri-county area as well as nationwide outlets. For their second fundraiser, the Meistersingers will be singing at this year’s Applefest in Warwick on Sunday, Oct. 1. Various a cappella groups will work different sections of the town to sing apple-related songs at merchants’ doorsteps. Donations will be accepted at that time. For more information on the Meistersingers, their upcoming fund-raising events or the Disney Honors festival, contact Heller at 845-987-3050, ext. 2086 or via e-mail at lheller@wvcsd.org.