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GHS chorus to sing at governor's holiday ceremony
Gaffney High School chorus members rehearse for Sunday's performance with the Governor's All-Star chorus at a carolighting service in Columbia. Gaffney High School chorus members will help ring in the Christmas holidays by performing Sunday at the 42nd annual Governor's Carolighting.
Gaffney High chorus teacher Lori Allison is taking 20 students to sing with the Governor's All-Star High School Chorus.
The carolighting marks the official start of the Christmas holidays in South Carolina. Gov. Mark Sanford will light the state's Christmas tree at the event.
The ceremonies will be televised live from the Statehouse steps by SC ETV beginning at 6 p.m. and will be re-broadcast on Christmas Eve. The event will feature
sounds of the Christmas season from students and musicians of all ages.
The Gaffney High chorus students will be members of the Governor's All-Star chorus. High school singers from across the state will perform Christmas carols together.
They will present challenging renditions of "Echo Nowell" and the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.
"December gives choirs an opportunity to learn and perform some of the most exciting music of the year," Allison said.
Students contributed $10 towards the trip to Columbia. The Cherokee County School District has eliminated transportation funds for fine arts programs as part of cost-saving measures during a tight budget year.
The Gaffney High Honors Choir will be the only local student group participating in the governor's carolighting service. They will join chorus students statewide Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. for an afternoon rehearsal.
"Public performances give choirs a chance to show what they have learned and to get the word out to the community that our school excels in the performing arts," Allison said.
The chorus will perform that evening on the steps of the Statehouse for the lighting of the Christmas tree. Performances this year include songs by the USC Trumpet Choir, the Palmetto Mastersingers, the Carolighting Children's Choir and the Carolighting Handbell Choir.
