Thanksgiving Day will a memorable one for several students from Immaculate Conception Academy.
All 10 members of the academy’s choir have been invited to be a part of the Mass Youth Choir in the 6ABC Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade festivities. They will be performing a medley from the musical “Grease” while gathered on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
This the first time the school will be sending a group of its students to be a part of the nationally recognized Thanksgiving Day program.
“It’s such a tradition, and to have our own little piece of it is wonderful,” said Adele Reilly, Advancement Director at Immaculate Conception Academy. “They’ve very talented.”
She said the students have just received their costumed sweatshirts bearing the parade’s logo to wear during the performance. They will be able to hold onto those sweatshirts as a keepsake.
As a part of the preparation for the performance, and under the direction of music teacher Sandy Myers, the students have been gathering twice a week to rehearse the songs and choreography.
The participating students are Isabel Uhlman, Bridget Ottinger, Alyssa Uhlman, Emily Oswald, Rachel Forkin, Will Gray, Lauren Yerger, Julia Treacy, Maggie Conlon and Sarah Forkin.
“They’re enthusiastic and excited for the opportunity. For us, it’s so exciting. The kids are fully committed to their singing and their craft,” said Reilly, noting how Immaculate Conception Academy is a smaller school and the students will serve as great ambassadors.
In addition to the choir, sixth-grader Bridget Ottinger has been selected to perform a solo.
“She’s very talented, it’s a wonderful bonus,” said Reilly. She explained how Ottinger had to submit a video of herself singing in order to be eligible.
The group represents grades four and up. They will head to Philadelphia a day early to practice with the sound system and alongside the other selected members of the mass choir.