28 April 21 - May 4, 2007
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Anderson from Page 1
that is very different from what we have done. We didn’t was the invitation to come
pay to perform. The Carnegie Hall National High School to the nation’s capitol from
Chorale Festival is the only one that they actually host then President George H.
and support.” W. Bush. In a private White
Choirs are restricted from performing only once every House ceremony, the
three years, so 2007 was the fi rst year the choir could senior president personally
enter again. delivered a commendation
Figueroa, who presented the proclamations, was at the to the music conductor
ceremony not only as a representative of the governor, Submitted photo praising his work with
but also as the grandmother of Alyssa Figueroa, a member
TWICE IN A LIFETIME: The Chandler High School Chorale performed with other choirs at Carnegie Hall
not once, but twice.
children in arts education.
of the choir. While acknowledging
“I’ve seen the choir perform many times,” says Province, China. This concert was broadcast to more than his personal achievements,
Figueroa. “They are so phenomenal, so dedicated and so 800 television markets worldwide on China’s CCTV-9. Anderson is quick to sing the praises of the choir.
committed.” “Several students are now university music professors,
She says that it was while watching the Carnegie Anderson receives, sings praises several have made it on Broadway and as recording
performances that she felt compelled to let the governor’s Anderson, a former Chandler City Council member, is artists. And, some have followed my footsteps into the
offi ce know of the unprecedented accomplishment. And, in his 23rd year as director of choral activities at Chandler classroom and are now teaching in public schools.”
she explains that the director of the Mormon Tabernacle High School and in his 36th year as a music teacher. He One additional factor in the singing group’s
Choir worked with the Chandler singers and called them has served as an adjunct professor of Northern Arizona extraordinary performance was their professional
the “cream of the cream.” University, director of Waldorf College Choir, president accompanist, Cassandra Kapps. Anderson says that
Chandler High School Chorale has enjoyed ovations of the Choral Directors of Arizona, a member of the State the Mountain View High School and Louisiana State
across the country and around the world for the past Music Advisory Committee for the Arizona Interscholastic University graduate enabled the selection of very diffi cult
two decades. It was the top-scoring concert choir at their Association, City of Chandler Arts Commissioner and musical pieces.
National High School Choir Festival in Chicago, and founder and director of the Arizona Young People’s Awards and proclamations are certainly benchmarks,
fi nished as fi nalists in four national festivals: the Kennedy Chorus. but Anderson points out that the heart of the
Center in Washington, D.C.; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Although certainly a high note, this proclamation is accomplishment is the audience’s reaction. He says that
in Los Angeles; Salt Lake City’s Symphony Hall; and one of many in a crescendo of career kudos Anderson has the Carnegie performance was so moving that “people
Lincoln Center in New York City. In special ceremonies, received. He accepted the Outstanding Music Educator were wiping tears from their eyes.
under the sponsorship of the United States government, Award at a Southwest Regional music festival, was a 2005 “Our students have shown great consistency from
the Chandler Chorale performed in Washington, D.C. Arizona Teacher of the Year Finalist and was the 2005 year to year, so it is diffi cult to say any one choir is
at the Vietnam Memorial, Annapolis Naval Academy and 2006 Governor’s Arts Award honoree for signifi cant better than the other. But to say they peaked would be
and for U.S. senators and congressmen. The Chandler contributions to the arts. In 2005, he was recognized an understatement. They sang beyond all expectations.
Chorale has also been featured on CNN-TV, ABC-TV, by New York City Department of Education for arts They were incredible.”
NBC-TV and numerous radio stations. promotion for children. In 2006 Anderson was awarded
The praises of the choir’s accomplishments are the Life Tenure of Honorary Professor title from the Jilin
Joan Westlake is a long-time reporter, writer and resident of
international. In June 2005, the choir became America’s College of the Arts, China for “remarkable contribution to
the Southeast Valley. She is also editor of SanTan Essential
magazine, and can be reached at Editor@SanTanEssential.com.
fi rst artists to give a command performance for 2,000 the exchange of international culture and art.”
governmental and educational dignitaries in Jilin Anderson says one of his most memorable recognitions
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