House Republican Press Release

February 29, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Noujaim: Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School Chorus to Perform for State House of Representatives

All Star Chorus will Sing for Legislators at March 5^th House Session

The Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School’s nationally-recognized All Star Chorus will perform for the state House of Representatives at a legislative session scheduled for Wednesday, March 5^th, 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 arts-integrated 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.