All Star Chorus will Sing for Legislators at
March 5th House Session
The Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School’s nationallyrecognized
All Star Chorus will perform for the state
House of Representatives at a legislative session
scheduled for Wednesday, March 5th, state Representative Selim Noujaim announced
today.
“I take great pride in the fact that the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School is located in my
district,” said Representative Noujaim, R-Waterbury. “In 2007, the Rotella School was
the recipient of the nation’s most prestigious award for magnet schools. To honor its
students and faculty for their achievement, I invited the school’s All Star Chorus to visit
the state capitol to perform for members of the state House of Representatives. It gives
the school the opportunity to show just how talented its students are and to demonstrate
our pride in the youth of Greater Waterbury. I’m very grateful to Speaker of the House
Jim Amann for responding to my request to have the chorus sing for us.”
“It’s not every day that a Connecticut school is honored with the highest award a magnet
school can receive in the United States,” said Speaker Amann, D-Milford. “It was my
pleasure to recognize the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School of Waterbury for its
achievement by scheduling its All Star Chorus to sing for us on the floor of the House. I
congratulate the school for their distinguished national recognition and look forward to
next Wednesday’s performance.”
“We consider it a tremendous honor to have our All Star Chorus invited to perform
before the state House of Representatives,” said Principal Gina Calabrese. “We are a fine
arts oriented magnet school and our music program is a very important part of our artsintegrated
approach to education. At a time when financial constraints are forcing many
public schools in Connecticut to cut music programs, we believe it is especially important
to promote an education that is grounded in the fine arts. Performing for the state House
of Representatives will give us the opportunity to showcase our nationally recognized
chorus to legislators who represent cities and towns from throughout Connecticut. Our
students are absolutely thrilled at the prospect of sharing their love of music with them.”
The Rotella Interdistrict Magnet school received the Dr. Ronald P. Simpson
Distinguished Merit Award for 2007. It is considered the top award for magnet schools in
the country and is given to only one school in the Magnet School of Excellence category.
The All-star Chorus is directed by Brenda Ledbetter, the school’s Intermediate Vocal
Music instructor.
