Xaverian Chorus Carols at

White House

A select group of 20 young men from the 79-member Chorus at Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge, had the distinct honor of singing Christmas carols at the White House on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9.

Andrea Lynaugh Photos  

Standing in the main lobby of the East Wing, students completed a program of 12 carols over the course of an hour and a half for the families of government employees attending the Holiday Open House.

Students sang “O Holy Night,” “Silent Night,” and “Carol of the Bells” among other favorites accompanied by pianist Vincent Iannelli, assistant music director at Xaverian, and under the direction of Joseph Loposky, Xaverian’s music director.

This was Iannelli’s second performance at the president’s residence. As a student, he sang with the school Chorus the first time they performed there in 2001.

Xaverian’s Chorus applied for this opportunity by sending a DVD of their Spring Concert to the White House in mid-November. One week later, they received an invitation to share their vocal talents.

The Music at Xaverian program began in 1994 with 23 students and one performing group. Today, it has grown to include over 300 students and 14 performing groups ranging from beginner musicians to a high-level jazz band.

The Chorus and Jazz Band I have also performed in Inuyama City, Japan, in 2005 and 2007. The Jazz Band I is undefeated at Talent Quest in Hershey Park.

St. Joe’s Girls Brighten B’klyn

Boro Hall

 Stephen Lipuma Photo 

Twenty young ladies from the choir at St. Joseph H.S., Downtown Brooklyn, joined Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham and hundreds of locals for the Dec. 10 lighting of the 38-foot-tall Christmas tree in Brooklyn Borough Hall Plaza.

Directed by Rhenita Martin and John Touhey, St. Joe’s Choir belted out “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow” and “Winter Wonderland.”

Afterward, Santa stopped by the Borough Hall rotunda where refreshments were being served.

Youth Views

How will you and your family celebrate our Savior’s birth?

Shyan S. Lovell St. Joseph H.S. Freshman On Christmas Eve night we go to Mass together. On Christmas, we pray and read the Bible, cook meals together and make up our own Christmas carols.	Andrew Viola-Lopez Cathedral Prep Seminary Senior On Christmas, my family and I bless each room in the house with incense.

Kieffer Carranza Cathedral Prep Seminary Junior We go to church on Christmas Eve at midnight because it makes us feel like Jesus is present in that moment. Then share gifts in our home as a family.	Anthony Caruana Cathedral Prep Seminary Junior My family and I celebrate by having dinner with family on Christmas Eve and then go to midnight Mass. On Christmas Day we go to morning Mass and then visit another relative’s house for dinner.

Kathia Espinal St. Joseph H.S. Junior On Christmas Eve, we get together and dance, open presents and have dinner. At 12 a.m., we celebrate as we add Baby Jesus to the Nativity.	Jose Rodriguez Cathedral Prep Seminary Senior This year, my family will be heading to Atlanta, Georgia. We have family there and so we’ll be celebrating all together. We’ll open presents, spend time together and attend Mass on Christmas Eve..

back to top