Young Charlotte voices will sing at White House

By Brittany Penland
bpenland@charlotteobserver.com

Posted: Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011

The Chamber Ensemble of the Charlotte Children's Choir will fill the hallways of the White House this Christmas.

Director Sandy Holland said she was notified Nov. 7 that the ensemble of 11- to 14-year-olds has been invited to sing at the White House for visitors, from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19.

"I am really excited for the kids," Holland said. "All the kids work really hard."

The Chamber Ensemble has 17 students, and typically serves as ambassador for the Charlotte Children's Choir, consisting of eight singing groups ranging in age from elementary to high school. Holland said she can bring 30 performers to the White House, so she will add youth who have five or more years of experience in the 50-member advanced choir. She'll have to decide which students will get to go.

The ensemble will perform about 20 songs, she said. Selections will include seasonal classics like "Ding Dong Merrily on High" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

"We're tired of being Charlotte's best-kept secret, so we were thrilled," Holland said.