GHS chorus members chosen to perform at popular Disney holiday event

Press release from Alachua County Public Schools

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A group of Gainesville High School chorus members has been selected to perform later this month at one of Disney World’s most popular holiday events.

The sixteen students, under the direction of their new chorus teacher Rebecca Ruescher, successfully auditioned to be part of this year’s Epcot Candlelight Processional. They will be performing the evening of December 11^th with a 51-piece professional orchestra and a massed choir that includes Disney performers. The production will also feature celebrity narrator Josh Gad, who has starred on Broadway, in movies, and on television.

“It’s quite competitive, schools all around Florida and even outside the state send in tapes,” said Ruescher. “For some of them, this is the biggest performance of the year.” 

The GHS students have been rehearsing since October. Three days a week they get to school an hour early to work with Ruescher. They’ve also had to spend a lot of time rehearsing outside of school.

“With the volume of the repertoire we’ve got to cover, they need that extra time,” said Ruescher. “I’m so proud of the time they’re putting in.”

Junior Diamond Vo is one of the GHS chorus captains. She’s been singing since 4^th grade and has performed in a variety of venues and programs, including All-State and Honor Choir performances. She says she particularly enjoys being part of an ensemble.