Many of the members of the Franklin School Chorus had never seen Madison Square Garden, let alone dreamed expected to sing during halftime at a sporting event in the famed New York City arena.
But after a successful performance there last month, they may be scheduled for more appearances in the future.
The director of the school’s music department, Dr. Armine Irving, said that a few months ago, the father of one of her students asked if the chorus could perform at a charity basketball game between NJ Transit employees and the NYPD on May 23.
Irving agreed, but then the performance was cancelled. However, another opportunity arose. The New York Liberty, a Women’s National Basketball Team, would be playing a basketball game that same day. They father suggested that the chorus could sing the National Anthem.
“As soon as we walked out and the stadium was full, my stomach dropped to the floor.” – Lisseth Zhagui
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After sending several video tapes and being “screened,” the Franklin School Chorus was chosen to sing “God Bless America” during halftime.
Some time before the May 23 game, they were also asked if they could sing the National Anthem before the game began on the court.
Irving said their school was the first New Jersey chorus chosen that season to perform at a game.
After the students serenaded the crowd, they got to enjoy the game.
‘All the lights’
The kids said they enjoyed their debut.
“I was really excited,” said Lisseth Zhagui, an eighth grader. “We competed against so many different schools, and to have the opportunity to actually sing the National Anthem…not only did we sing one song, we sang both.”
She said that they performed a capella, and that there were many changes right “on the spot.”
“As soon as we walked out and the stadium was full my stomach dropped to the floor,” said Zhagui. “It was so nerve wracking, but it was a great success.”
It was a big deal for eighth grader Angelica Albarado, who said she was proud of her school and her performance. She said it felt like she was singing in front of millions of people.
“Backstage was very nice,” said fellow eighth grader Angelina Curanovic, who said that practicing before her performance gave her butterflies, but that it was “controlled chaos.”
Irving said they performed in front of about 12,000 people.
Future opportunities
Curanovic said she felt like they accomplished something incredible and was thankful to Irving. It was her first time at Madison Square Garden.
“We have a great chorus instructor, always giving us points and we know what to do,” she said. “I’ve been with her since kindergarten [and in chorus] since fifth grade, and she makes every performance seem like it’s nothing.”
Irving said that organizing the whole event made the school feel even more like a community. She said she was grateful to Principal Peter Clark and Vice Principal John Keshishian for allowing their performance.
She said that the New York Liberty’s management enjoyed their singing so much that they asked them to sing at games next season.
They have even been asked to perform at New York Knicks games, which will likely draw an even larger crowd.
Irving said the North Bergen Board of Education paid for the transportation costs of the event.
“We got there an hour before, had a sound check in the court,” said Irving. “It was really overwhelming, the way that you walk in and all the lights are on and they announced our names.”
She added, “It’s so fabulous to see the children in that setting. They make you proud, they make your community proud, they make your school proud, [and] they make me proud, being their director. It was really truly a community effort between the school system and the parents and the children.”
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.