This post was written by Jeff Barba, public relations coordinator for VBCPS.
The sights, sounds and pageantry of the Virginia International Tattoo have long been a mainstay of the annual Virginia Arts Festival. This exhibition features marching bands, massed pipes and drums, drill teams, gymnasts, Scottish dancers, and this year, 65 chorus students from Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS). The prestigious event is held at Norfolk Scope and the VBCPS Tattoo Festival Chorus will perform in front of more than 40,000 people from April 23 through April 27.
“Our students have been attending the Tattoo for years and have always come away really enjoying the performance,” said John Brewington, Fine Arts Coordinator for Virginia Beach Schools. “VBCPS is honored to take part in this commemoration along with hundreds of other musicians from around the world in a display of patriotism, international cooperation and inspirational music that is the Tattoo. We invite the community to join us.”
“This artistic partnership truly showcases one of the ways the performing arts and artists of VBCPS and Hampton Roads support the VBCPS Compass to 2015 strategic objectives,” said Chorus Director Helen Sunderland. “We are honored and humbled to participate.”
The VBCPS Tattoo Festival Chorus is composed of select seniors from the 11 Virginia Beach public high schools. These students were recommended for inclusion in this honors chorus based on both their musical and academic achievements. They have rehearsed together weekly during March and April to prepare for this once in a lifetime opportunity. As student ambassadors, they are honored to participate in this patriotic celebration which recognizes the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Vietnam War Veterans who proudly served our country.
The choral directors of each high school have worked independently and collaboratively to train and sponsor these talented singers in this city-wide effort. The Tattoo Festival Chorus is under the direction of Holly B. Sunderland, Instructional Specialist in Performing Arts for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. This ensemble is sponsored by the VBCPS Department of Teaching and Learning – John Brewington, fine arts coordinator.
For more information about the Virginia International Tattoo, visit vafest.org/2014/tattoo-main.