By Andrea Genovese Soares (March 28, 2004)

Opus Zero members received superior ratings from all judges at the VMEA District 10 Choral Festival, on Saturday, at Thomas Edison High School. 

The choir members, who usually meet at 7AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, were led by choir director, Connie Jenkins, and assistant director Janice Nette. The choir’s repertoire included "Festival Jubilate," by Patti Drennan, in which juniors Fran Thielman and Alex Nette accompanied the choir in the piano and trumpet, respectively. 

The second piece the choir sang was "With a Voice of Singing," by Martin Shaw, in which band aide Larry Allen accompanied the choir on the piano. These two pieces were level four, a fairly challenging level for the choir. 

Madrigals, the smaller, a cappella choir at GM chose not to perform at festival due to a combination of setbacks. However, Madrigals members will be performing on Monday for a ceremony of the Cherry Blossom Festival at Arlington Cemetery. 

Choir member, senior Rachel Leonard said, "Although we have encountered many difficulties along the way, I believe that we, as a choir, have been able to pull through.  Mrs. Nette informed us before we performed that she had talked to Mr. Marino the day before and he had said ‘sing well.’ I believe through his teaching and the guidance of Mrs. Jenkins that we have."

Likewise, Mrs. Jenkins distributed a letter to the students that said, "You have come through some difficult times and you have shown what spirited musicians you can be."