SUSSEX COUNTYFor the 28 members of the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County Concert Choir, their experience performing and sight seeing in Italy was unforgettable. The group left on July 13th and traveled for 13 days from Rome up to Lake Como. They visited the major cities of Venice, Florence and Milan, but also toured Assisi, Siena, Pisa, Verona and Padua. The Chorus sang for two Massesat St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. In addition, the choir held a joint concert with the Canadian Cantare Children’s Choir at the Santa Maria in Campitelli Church in Rome. The group also gave a concert at Santa Maria Dei Ricci Church in Florence. Their final performance was at the Church of Tregnago near Soave. The local Italian choir, whose members contained teenagers and adults, sang as well and held a reception that ended with a both choirs singing informally to each other in the courtyard. The group also visited some churches that led to unscheduled concerts. The chorus sang in a small chapel in Assisi, the Baptistery in Pisa and St. Anthony’s Basilica in Padua. The choir’s repertoire included classical songs by Vivaldi and Mozart, folk songs, the American Anthem and an African Zulu song. The Concert Choir was directed by Deborah Mello and accompanied by Linda DeGroat on both the Piano and Organ. In the last fifteen years the Children’s Chorus of Sussex County has grown to include nearly 100 children from first grade through high school in three Choirs. Children with unchanged voices are welcome to audition for the Bel Canto, Bella Voce or Concert Choir. To schedule an audition or learn more about the group contact Deborah Mello at dmello@nac.net or call 383-4323. Children’s Chorus members performing in ItalyVictoria Bryk Bias Amanda Bullard Dianna Califri Kayla Chirip Justine Doherty Nicole Fishstein Julianne Froehlich Kyle Gerth Jessica Harrod Megan Heise Katherine Hoyer Josette Hutcheson Caroline Hutcheson Sarah Kousch Danielle LiTrenta Erin McCormick Allison Mello Mollie Melton Erin Mills Tess Oldfield Kelly Osborne Nicole Plaza Carly Samona Alysha Snook Michael Sullivan Kristin Will Megan Wilson Concetta Zimmerman