ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 5, 1996 TAG: 9612100164
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHARLES STEBBINS STAFF WRITER
For the second time in seven years, Roanoke College's Children's Choir will perform at a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the White House.
And for at least three of the choir members, the trip will be a special thrill.
For one of the youngest members, 11-year-old Adam Cook of Salem, the prospect of going to the White House has filled him with anticipation.
"I love it," he said. "I can't wait."
He has been to Washington to attend football games, but he said the choir trip is a special treat.
This will be the first trip to the nation's capital for Adrianne Shiflett, 17, of Bedford County, and she said she's excited about being able to see the city and the White House.
Kaila Thompson, 17, of Roanoke, who toured the White House once before, also said she's looking forward to the trip.
The tree-lighting ceremony, known this year as the "Pageant of Peace," will be today at 5 p.m.
It will be shown live on the C-Span cable television channel.
The 65 choir members, all aged 11 to 18, will do something most people never do - they will be on the stage with President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton along with several nationally known performers, among them singers LeAnn Rimes and Patti LaBelle, the musical group Mannheim Steamroller, the U.S. Army Band and television personality Willard Scott, weatherman on the "Today" show.
The choir also may have a second national performance while in Washington.
Dan Davidson, husband of choir director Kimberly Davidson, said there is a possibility the choir will appear on the "Today" show with Scott. If this comes about, he said, it probably will be on Friday morning.
The choir appeared on the "Today" show with Scott during its first trip to the White House tree lighting in 1989.
The choir is part of Roanoke College's Preparatory Division and was formed 10 years ago with 23 children. Today it has 170 boys and girls 8 through 18 divided by age into three choirs. The group going to the tree lighting is known as the Concert Choir.
Previously, the Concert Choir performed with the Children's Holiday Choral Festival at Disney World in 1993; the prestigious Princeton Invitational/International Choral Festival in 1995, in which the choir won second place; and with the Australian Children's Choir earlier this year.
Each year the choirs perform two local concerts, along with many other appearances including a "Lessons and Carols" with the Roanoke College Choir, a tour to elementary schools and a choral festival.
When the choir returns to the Roanoke Valley, it will give two Christmas performances, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 3 p.m., both at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Roanoke. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children 12 and younger. Tickets may be reserved by calling 375-2222.
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: NHAT MEYER. 1. Sarah Anderson (left) helps Jadeleby CNBMcPherson adjust her costume before the practice session. 2. Members
of the Roanoke College Children's Choir - led by artistic director
Kimberly Davidson (below) - practice in the Olin Hall auditorium for
their upcoming trip to WASHINGTON TO SING AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE
LIGHTING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. COLOR. Type first letter of feature OR type help for list of commands FIND S-DB DB OPT SS WRD QUIT QUIT Save options? YES NO GROUP YOU'VE SELECTED: QUIT YES login: c