Photo courtesy Choir

By Sadie Remington

Many aspiring singers have dreamt of singing at the White House. Earlier this month, students from the Cal High Madrigal and Chamber choirs had the chance to.

The students didn’t sing for President Obama, but they had the opportunity to sing on White House grounds while on the spring break trip from April 3-7.

“There’s an area just off the path going up to the White House for school performances,” said choir teacher Lucerne Mottaz. “We had to send in a tape of us singing and (get a) security clearance for it.”

The choirs were also able to sing at the National Monument, Smithsonian Castle, Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, Baltimore Harbor Aquarium, and many other locations.

“It was so nice to be that close to history, to sing patriotic songs right next to these monuments,” said senior Katherine Pruyn. “It was a unique experience you couldn’t have anywhere else.”

Many students, especially those from Madrigal choir, decided to go on the trip. Although it cost more than $1,000, students were excited nonetheless.

“It’s going to be fun with all the history and pretty sites and hanging out and having fun with the choir,” said senior Kim Bowman before the trip.

Students who had been to Washington, D.C., before were still excited to visit the Capitol again.

“I went there one time but I didn’t see the Declaration of Independence,” sophomore Breanna Northrup said before the trip. “I’m really excited to see all the things I didn’t see the first time.”

Senior Hannah Perschau agreed with this sentiment.

“I’ve been (to D.C.) once but I was little,” she said.

Having already been to Washington, D.C, she was more concerned about the people than the monuments and memorials.

“People actually wanted to hear us,” Hannah said. “They stopped walking and put their hands over their hearts for the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ I felt appreciated.”

But that wasn’t the only song people reacted to.

“Pretty much every time the bus stopped we got off and sang,” said Mottaz. “There was huge applause. At the Capitol Mall there were these college guys (who) started dancing and clapping to the music.”

Students got a kick out of this, even though sophomore Wesley Enos said the clapping college boys weren’t even on beat.

Besides the museums, there was one other building the choir students wanted to see before they left. Here’s a hint: it was white.

“I’m most excited to see the White House,” senior Angel Ruark said before the trip. “I’ve never been (to Washington, D.C) before and I love choir trips.”

This may have been her first trip to D.C., but it made such a good impression on her that it won’t be her last.

“It was really cool to see all the historical things,” she said. “I liked seeing all the different memorials, seeing all the history up close. I’m definitely going back.”

Other students were new to D.C. as well.

“It was spectacular,” said senior Victor Carrillo. “It was a new experience for me since it’s the first time I’ve gone to D.C.”

But what made the choirs decide to go to D.C. in the first place?

“D.C. just seemed like a really good place,” Kim said. “In the past years when they went it was a lot of fun.”

“I didn’t go because it was too expensive,” said sophomore Veronica Stephen “But I really wanted to go. I really missed out on a great traveling and singing experience.”