A Capitol Affair

Pottsgrove Middle School choral singers are joined by State Sen. John Rafferty, far left, and state Rep. Mark painter, near left.

Blogger's Note: The following provided by Beth Tripani on behalf of the Pottsgrove School District.

About 70 Pottsgrove Middle School students traveled to the Harrisburg Capitol on March 18 to perform a one hour concert at noon in the Rotunda as part of Music in our Schools Month. 

The students also received a guided tour of the Capital, and learned about the architecture and history of the building as well as the various branches of government. Senator John Rafferty and Reprepesentative Mark Painter spoke to the students and took pictures with the group.

"Many of the students were thrilled with how the group sounded because of the beautiful acoustics in the building," said Choral Director Carole Bean.

"It was thrilling for me to see the excitement on the faces of the students as they performed in such a prestigious venue."

The group sang at the Capitol in 2006 and 2010 for the same type of event.

They had to submit an application in September to the Pennsylvania Music Education Association for the chance to perform there. 

The group sang songs including: "We are the World," "Let There Be Peace on Earth," "The Climb," "Like an Eagle," "Lean on Me" and "Blessings." 

They also sang a patriotic song called "America the Beautiful" which include The Pledge of Allegiance and readings from the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream speech. 

The concert also included songs such as "It's Ragtime," "Hawaii 5 O," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "Dona Nobis Pacem," "Popular," "Joshua," and "Dynamite."