Pelham High School Choral Music Teacher Lynne Jebeles delivered the news, “I am pleased to announce that the Pelham High School Choir has received confirmation of our selection to perform at Walt Disney World for the Candlelight Processional on Dec. 20, 2009.”

Disney’s Candlelight Processional is a major event and only the best of the best are chosen. The application process included sending a DVD of the choir students’ performances to serve as an audition.

The PHS choir was selected, not only because they possess incredible talent, but also because they’ve put in the time and hard work to be the best.

The PHS choir participates in their own Summer Show Choir Camp for a solid week. The students sacrifice a week of their summer and they see the value of that sacrifice.

“Show Choir Camp is vital,” said junior Haley Dickson. “Our class time is limited because we are also the Chamber Choir, which sings a completely separate genre of music.”

Sophomore Jennifer Bozeman said the camp offers additional practice time.

“The camp really helped us learn the dances and music better than we normally would in school. We had hours to work together instead of just class,” Bozeman said.

Miss Alabama Liz Cochran is a Pelham High School alum and the choir’s dance choreographer. The students’ excitement about the show is only exceeded by their excitement about being a part of the choir program.

“I was ecstatic and shocked when I made Show Choir. I’m honored to be representing PHS,” Sophomore Madison German said.

Bozeman has her own reasons for being proud to be a member of the PHS Choir.

“When I found out that I was selected for show choir, I was honored and excited. My siblings were in show choir when they were here, so it’s a tradition that I am glad I can be a part of.”

At Disney’s Candlelight Processional, the PHS choir will join other youth choirs to create a mass choir.

“I am most excited to experience the mass harmony of the Christmas songs . . . nothing sends chills down your arms like a mass volume of four- and five-part harmony,” Dickson said.

Along with the music, a celebrity narrator delivers readings of the Christmas story.

The celebrity that’s scheduled when the Pelham High School Choir performs in the Candlelight Processional is Whoopi Goldberg.

Performing with Whoopi Goldberg might prove quite a thrill for our Pelham kids as well.

Hard work, sacrifice and dedication take students a long way — sometimes all the way to Disney World.

Connie Nolen can be reached at CNolen@Shelbyed.k12.al.us