High school choir to perform at White House ceremony

Kris Hill

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000 | 9:27 a.m.

Las Vegas Academy principal Bob Gerye had a good reason to extend his stay in Washington, D.C. -- the Madrigals, an elite 20-student choir at his school, had just been chosen for the third year in a row to sing during holiday festivities at the White House.

He had been planning a trip to Washington for some time when the news about the choir arrived. His trip had been planned so that he could collect an award from the Department of Education.

The Madrigals are representative of the reason his school earned the award, which recognized the Las Vegas Academy as one of 27 New American High Schools.

The prestigious award recognizes schools that are on the cutting edge, that offer a unique learning environment through innovative teaching that produces high levels of student achievement.

"It's really a culmination of all the work of the teachers and students," Gerye said.

Part of the school's success is reflected in its music program, particularly the choir that Gerye will escort around the capital today and Sunday before its White House performance on Monday. Originally, Gerye had planned to accept the award and return home immediately. When the choir was chosen, he knew he wanted to be with them for the honor and extended his stay.

Choir teachers Elizabeth Kamerin, her husband, Kim, and Victoria Ligon -- who are also on the White House trip -- worked with the students at a frenetic pace to get them ready for their White House performance and other holiday appearances.

"It's exciting because you get a special tour of the rooms (in the White House) that you don't normally get to see," Elizabeth Kamerin said of the trip to Washington.

All of the academy's choirs recently put on a performance and are now preparing holiday music for the 30 private caroling gigs they are going to do throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Some students have been auditioning for "The Messiah" performances on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 at the school's auditorium. Others prepared for "Amahl and the Night Visitors," presented at the school Thursday and Friday.

Immediately after the "Amahl" performance, sophomore Joseph Nicosia, a 15-year-old student who moved here from New York, rushed to the airport to meet the rest of the choir in Washington.

"Oh my god, I am so stoked," Nicosia said when he learned of the choir's White House honor.

Choir member Lisa Barragan, a senior, hopes to meet President Clinton. "It's the opportunity of a lifetime," Barragan said.

Barragan and Nicosia have been singing forever, they said. Barragan has been taking private lessons since the sixth grade. This is her first year in the Madrigals.

Usually groups are only allowed to apply for an invitation to the White House every four years, but last year the Las Vegas Academy choir was asked to submit an application on a regular basis, Kamerin said.

"The White House staff was so enamored with them," Gerye said, that they made the unusual request of the choir.

Kamerin was also excited because her students can appreciate the experience.

"This is the best bunch of students," she said.

"We'll be back in school at 7 Tuesday morning," Gerye said.

Back to school, that is, with an award and memories of the Madrigals third trip to the White House.