[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10977]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             PINECREST SINGERS RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HOWARD COBLE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2008

  Mr. COBLE. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the citizens of the Sixth 
District of North Carolina, we wish to recognize some singers from 
Moore County in our district who won a national competition. Because of 
the quality of performance of the Pinecrest High School Chamber 
Ensemble and Sotto Voce last year in San Francisco, both choral groups 
were able to participate in this year's Heritage's ``Festival of Gold'' 
National Choral Competition at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.
  They were competing against 21 other high schools from across the 
nation and both groups took first place in their respective divisions. 
The scoring was determined by three reputable judges in the world of 
choral music and based out of 100 possible points. Out of these 
Pinecrest's 30 member Sotto Voce received an average of 95.33 points, 
placing them in first place in the Women's Choir division.
  Participating in the Sotto Voce division were Paige Baker, Keyvietta 
Baldwin, Braylin Bayless, Lauren Bonville, Casey Cooper, Ashlee 
Covington, Brittany Cullifer, Leah Dannelley, Kate Davis, Kelcie Frye, 
Caroline Gallagher, Erin Hennings, Ginni Holderfield, Lynn Hollyfield, 
Alease Jeffries, Auriel Jeffries, Haley Johnson, Ruth Jones, Dani Mayo, 
Gina Mendence, Kelly Nelson, Alexis Oxendine, Catherine Pittman, 
Michelle Porter, Rachel Stewart, Stephanie Vaughn, Linsdsay von Gal, 
Chelsi Wright, Joanne Wu, Haley Yarborough, and Elise Zawatteri.
  The Chamber Ensemble, with an average of 96.33, took first place as 
well in the Chamber Choir division. Singing in the Chamber Ensemble 
were Braylin Bayless, Kevin Bean, Jonathan Blue, Spencer Bowman, Lia 
Brazile, Matt Carriker, Rashad Covington, Tolisha Covington, Brittany 
Cullifer, Leah Dannelley, Sarah Floyd, Adam Fogleman, Caroline 
Gallagher, Bradley Gibson, Matt Hazzard, Tyler Herbst, Alease Jeffries, 
Jordan Kennedy, Kelsey Leach, Kelcey Ledbetter, Le'Quita McKoy, Taylor 
Miles, Whitney Moore, Brenton O'Hara, Catherine Pittman, Michelle 
Porter, Aaron Shamberger, Ravon Sheppard, Amanda Smith, Rachel Stewart, 
Stephanie Vaughn, James Villone, and Josh Warthen. Pinecrest High 
Choral Director James Brown told The Sandhills Pulse, ``This 
performance in Chicago solidifies just how talented and dedicated my 
students are in the Choral Program at Pinecrest . . . we graced each 
performance with intensity, passion and extreme professionalism.''
  In addition to the competition, a number of students were involved in 
an Honors Choir that was made up of selected members from all of the 
participating choirs. These students were responsible for learning four 
pieces on their own prior to arriving in Chicago and performed under 
the baton of Dr. Anton Armstrong, conductor of the St. Olaf Choir. The 
students participating in the Honors Choir from Pinecrest were Lauren 
Bonville, Matt Carriker, Ashlee Covinton, Kate Davis, Kelcie Frye, 
Caroline Gallagher, Bradley Gibson, Erin Hennings, Alease Jeffries, 
Auriel Jeffries, Ruth Jones, Brenton O' Hara, Alexis Oxendine, Rachel 
Stewart, Stephanie Vaughn and James Villone. Brown also told The 
Sandhills Pulse, ``This year's tour will be one of my most memorable 
because of all aspects: my first group of graduation seniors who worked 
with me throughout their entire high school choral experience, 
fantastic chaperones and phenomenal accompanists.'' -
  Again, we are proud to report that the Sixth District is home to 
these outstanding young singers.

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