The Lemoore High School Choir of Lemoore, California, recently returned from a tour of Washington, D.C. as part of the National Festival of the States. The ensemble performed several times in the area, including at the Lincoln Memorial, Vinson Hall Retirement Community, and at a clinic led by renowned choral director Dr. Stanley Engebretson, Director of Choral Studies at nearby George Mason University.
Choir director Dorie Talob shared some of her thoughts and impressions of the tour on behalf of the ensemble. It was a pleasure to work with the Lemoore High School choir on their D.C. tour, and we hope to work with them again in the future!
My personal highlight of the trip was participating in the Wreath Laying Ceremony with my husband, retired Lt. Cmdr. 22 years in the US Navy, and with my two students who are officers in the NJROTC Program. They were all in full dress uniform as we presented the wreath with our school colors. Another personal highlight, as a teacher and director, is just seeing the faces of the students as their eyes light up with every new experience from performing at the Lincoln Memorial to seeing all the beautiful architecture, museums, shows, and living and experiencing history! I think the highlight of the trip for the performers was the VINSON HALL where the students felt so appreciated. They loved the meet and greet with the residents. A second highlight for them was unexpectedly getting to meet the cast of “Freedom’s Song”. We were waiting for our bus and the cast was exiting out of the Ford Theater. Of course, the students bombarded them, but the cast didn’t seem to mind. They were so friendly, talking with the students, encouraging them to keep on singing and reaching for their dreams. The National Festival of the States attracted me to MCI. After that, the friendliness and helpfulness of the Staff reassured me that we would be in good hands and that our trip would be amazing!
Dorie Talob, Choir Director
Lemoore High School
Lemoore, California
It was a pleasure to work with the Lemoore High School choir on their D.C. tour, and we hope to work with them again in the future!