On April 14, 2018, members of the Linganore choir traveled to Washington, D.C. to perform on the steps of the National Archive for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Members included Maggie Clugston, Nichollette Polidoro, Samantha Buntman, Lindsey Ekanger, Penelope Owens, Ellis McCormick, Jacob Blue, Alyssa Chiarelli, Caroline John, Jordan Cencula, Haley Closs, Autumn Frazier, and Tamara Ruddy.

One of the largest annual spectator events in Washington, the parade takes place in Downtown D.C. along historic Constitution Avenue. Televised on News Channel 8 and ABC7, the event is a two-hour parade of floats and helium balloons. Marching bands, youth choir members, tap dancers, and other groups can fill out applications to perform for the event.

Mr. Damon Dye, choir director, learned of the opportunity and applied to participate. On Friday, April 13th, the members went to the University of District Columbia to rehearse with a mass choir of 500 people. The next day, they toured the grounds of DC and sang on the steps of the National Archive.

The choir sang “Love In Any Language.” 

The choir has participated in various festivals in the past such as ones in Hershey Park, Pennsylvania. They have also qualified for states this year. Unfortunately, they can not attend as it runs the same time as this springs musical. They consistently earn superior ratings. 

“It’s my hope that eventually we can go to places like Disney and perform down there. During the holiday season, Epcot has a candle light procession mass choir, and I’d like to do something like that, ” said Mr. Dye.

Senior Haley Closs said, “Mr. Dye loves to find as many opportunities to perform as he can and it was a really cool experience.”

The video is courtesy of Mr. Damon Dye.