Kids Surprised at Special Assembly

BOSTON – The Voice of Renaissance, the all-volunteer choir of the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, has been invited to sing at the White House as part of President and Mrs. Obama’s Christmas Open House series.  The children were surprised with the news at a morning assembly.

The choir – made up of African American and Hispanic children in the 3rd through 6th grade – will perform at The White House on Wednesday, December 7 from 5:00-7:00 pm and will entertain guests of the President and First Lady at a holiday reception. It is not clear whether President or Mrs. Obama themselves will attend the reception.

The mission of the chorus is to bring positive messages and inspiration to people of all ages through the performance of choral music.  Under the direction of Ms. Evelyn Lee-Jones, the school’s Director of Visual and Performing Arts, these children maintain good grades, attend early morning rehearsals during the school week (7:25am!), and serve as ambassadors for the school and role models for their peers.

The Boston Renaissance Charter Public School is the largest elementary school in Boston and enrolls students from ten different Boston neighborhoods. Renaissance’s student population is 96% African-American and Latino. More than three-quarters of its students come from low-income families, and more than 20% come from families whose first language is not English. Located in Hyde Park, Renaissance places a heavy emphasis on arts education, and exposes students to a rigorous academic curriculum coupled with vibrant enrichment activities that include dance, fine arts, music, physical education and technology.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday December 5, 2011

CONTACT: Dom Slowey 781-710-0014

HEADLINE: ‘The cheers were so loud the roof almost shook for a moment’ as Dr. Roger F. Harris, Superintendent and CEO of the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School announced the fantastic news that the Voices of Renaissance school choir would be performing at the White House in Washington D. C. on December 7, 2011! An incredible honor for the largest Elementary School in Boston!

BODY: Conducted by the incredibly talented Evelyn Lee Jones, the Voices of Renaissance has been widely acclaimed as one of the finest Elementary School choirs in Boston. The choir consists of girls and boys ranging from seven to twelve years old. Since its inception in 1997, by Ms. Evelyn Lee Jones, the Choir represents the spirit of the school focused on educating the whole child with a focus on achievement in the arts. The Voices of Renaissance is at full capacity with over 170 students. The Visual and Performing Arts Director also created two subsets of the choir called the Young Kings and First Ladies of Renaissance. These single gender choirs are taught leadership skills through music, spoken word, poetry, and a set of uplifting songs. The choir has sung in many states for prestigious events, culminating with a performance at Harvard University and Symphony Hall in 2011. The choir released a CD in 2010 entitled “You Touch My Life”. This spring, the choir is releasing its second CD, “My Spirit Sings.” The Choir’s repertoire ranges from contemporary to traditional. The Choir performs for all musical tastes. “They are simply a delight to hear! At the end of a concert, you feel enlightened and full of love and hope, Dr. Harris said. “The nearest thing one can imagine to a tapestry in sound, with all the intricate interweaving of pitches, colors, shading and density. The performances are superb. The audience is always enamored.”

THE ORGANIZATION: The Boston Renaissance Charter Public School (BRCPS) the largest elementary school in Boston (including all charter public and traditional public schools) is more than a school. BRCPS stands as a beacon of academic, social, and personal achievement for some of the city’s most under-served children; where positive experiences not only impact the students but extend into their communities. This intentionally planned community hums with the collective energy of a shared commitment to excellence. Its innovative full-service and Visual and Performing Arts programming prepare urban children for 21st century success. The school’s mission is an exemplary model which should be replicated in cities all across the United States.

CONTACT: Ms. Evelyn Lee Jones and Superintendent Dr. Roger F. Harris are available for interviews by phone at 617-357-0900. Please also visit our website at www.bostonrenaissance.org.

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Boston Renaissance Charter Public School Inc. hosts Champions for Children to highlight the achievements of those leaders in our community whose life’s work has ensured the educational and social development of children. Proceeds from the event will provide unrestricted resources for the academic and social development programs we offer.

At Boston Renaissance we develop the Renaissance Child — one steeped in a comprehensive curriculum of math, reading, science, foreign language, technology, visual and performing arts, and physical education — who possesses the intellectual capacity to leverage learning toward becoming a high-performing and contributing 21st century citizen. By recognizingChampions for Children in our community, we demonstrate for our students the value of hard work, dedication and commitment to a cause–characteristics that our honorees embody.

Please join us and learn more about the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School and help us celebrate the achievements of this year’s honorees.

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