Governor Charlie Baker became impressed after hearing the Chelsea High advanced choir group Cantare perform at the Chelsea Soldiers Home Veterans Day program.
Following this performance, Baker’s office reached out to Performing Arts Lead teacher and Cantare Co-Director Peter Pappavasselio with an invitation for the group to sing at his inauguration ceremony at the State House.
Pappavasselio accepted, and on Jan. 3, a total of 24 CHS students participated in the prestigious event.
Dressed in formal black and white attire, the students performed “On Winter Mountain,” before Gov. Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, constitutional officers, state senators, state representatives, judges, and other dignitaries present at the ceremony.
“The song denotes winter imagery, but it
ends with this feeling of peace and contentment,” Pappavasselio remarked, noting that he co-directs Cantare alongside Cole Lundquist.
Pappavasselio, a former accomplished vocalist and college performer with extensive music production experience, fully appreciates the significance of performing at a gubernatorial inauguration, an event that occurs only once every four years.
“It’s a once-in-a-career, if you’re lucky,
performance,” he added.
The group has earned recognition for its outstanding performance, which Boston television stations captured live.
Supt. of Schools Dr. Mary Bourque and Principal Lex Mathews attended the inauguration to witness the students’ performance firsthand, and both expressed considerable pride in the group’s achievement.
“A lot of people saw it on television and
it’s being shown on YouTube,” Pappavasselio noted.
The choir’s next scheduled performance is the district concert on March 20 at the Williams School.