Citrus High's chorus part of national salute

INVERNESS -- Ten choirs and 10 bands from across the United States have been selected to perform in June in the "American Musical Salute" to the United States veterans of World War II at Pearl Harbor. The Citrus High School chorus, under the direction of John Edel, is one of them.

The salute is produced by Fame, a branch of the tour company Capital Management. Fame specializes in musical salutes and has a tradition of celebrating historical events.

The chorus, which will represent CHS, Citrus County and Florida, will participate in a 30 to 40 minute official performance. There will also be performances at other Hawaiian locations, such as the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Mall and the Ala Moana Shopping Center.

Edel said the selection of the CHS chorus was most likely the result of recommendations from state and local music educators. Over the years, CHS chorus students have had many superior ratings from festivals and have been accepted into Florida All-State Chorus.

The group has begun raising funds to help the approximately 60 students with travel and accommodation expenses.

The first major effort toward that goal is called a "Quarter Mile of Quarters." On Nov. 23, chorus students and Chorus Booster members will begin to lay tape along U.S. 41 in front of the school to represent quarters standing on end, flat side to flat side.

A quarter mile of lined up quarters, Edel said, equals $63,400. The chorus needs about $70,000 to finance the trip.

The program is under way with labeled jars set up in businesses countywide. The money will be collected periodically and put toward the quarter mile.

To add a festive air to the tape-laying event, Edel hopes to have food vendors and performances by Breez, the chorus' show band.

The chorus' other major fundraiser will be the Annual Choral Holiday Dinner in Citrus Hills in December. Tickets for that event will go on sale in October.

Any businesses or organizations that wish to support the trip to Hawaii or would like more information can contact Edel at 726-2241.

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