Apr 16, 2008 6:44 pm US/Eastern
Choir Members Will Sing For Pope
HYATTSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
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About 250 people from 83 parish choirs throughout Washington, D.C. and Maryland make up one of four choirs that will sing for Pope Benedict XVI.
CBS
Together in harmony, hundreds of members of Washington's Archdiocese are preparing for the performance of a lifetime.
Jessica Kartalija reports the papal choir will begin performing at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
About 250 people from 83 parish choirs throughout Washington, D.C. and Maryland make up one of four papal choirs.
"It's a great opportunity. The music is incredible. You never get an opportunity like this again," said Paul Buckley from Bowie.
A 45-piece orchestra of brass, piano and percussion will accompany the orchestra, which was hand-picked by the Archdiocese.
"We had over 500 people audition for the choir, and we had to pick just 250 so it is a very difficult task," said Jayne Traynor Rose.
Being in harmony takes plenty of practice.
"There's practice every Monday night. We had a two-week break because of Easter. It's about 2.5 hours every Monday," said Rose.
The choir will sing in eight different languages and will be joined by three other papal choirs--a children's choir, an intercultural and gospel choir.
"I think people are just overwhelmed. They are so excited to be singing in the choir, and to be singing for the Pope. It's very exciting," said Rose.
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