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Contact: Graham Binder, Manager, Public Relations
(703) 255-1917 or grahamb@wolftrap.org

Vienna, VA—The Filene Center at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts comes alive for the 40^th anniversary of the organization’s free Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long, scheduled for Sunday, December 7, 2008, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This season, The United States Marine Band will once again lead the audience in traditional holiday songs. The performance will be conducted by Captain Michelle Rakers and Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Colburn will direct a choir of more than 400 members representing vocal groups from across the Washington, D.C. area. Staff Sergeant Sara Dell'Omo and Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Bennear will direct and encourage audience participation for a true sing-a-long experience. Admission to the 2008 Holiday Sing-A-Long is free and no tickets are required. Gates to the Filene Center open at 3 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early. Please note the Metro shuttle bus will not be running for this event. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be gratefully accepted at the entrance for Toys for Tots, however are not required for admittance.

The Holiday Sing-A-Long began in 1968 when Wolf Trap’s founder, Catherine Filene Shouse (1896-1994), invited local church choirs to her house to sing Christmas carols and share in holiday cheer. Since then, it has evolved into a packed house at the Filene Center featuring a multitude of volunteer singers from community churches and choral groups rejoicing in the company of hundreds of area families. Audiences and chorus alike bring their own bells and candles and participate in a “Jing-A-Long,” during which the audience will use their own bells to join in on “Jingle Bells,” and a traditional performance of “Silent Night,” accompanied by a picturesque candlelight procession exiting the Filene Center.

Featured Choral Groups Include:

Capitol Accord Chorus, Silver Spring, MD

Central Maryland Chorale, Laurel, MD

Columbia Pike Community Chorus, Arlington, VA

Edison High School, Alexandria, VA

Flint Hill Middle School Chorus, Oakton, VA

Georgetown University Concert Choir, Washington, DC

Girl Scouts Troop #2677, Herndon, VA

Junior Girl Scouts Troop #5712, Fairfax, VA

Leesburg Christian School Choir, Leesburg, VA

Melodious Majors –Mount Vernon High School, Alexandria, VA

Mount Zion United Methodist Church Choir, Mechanicsville, MD

New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County, Woodbridge, VA

Our Saviour Lutheran Church Adult Choir, Warrenton, VA

The Reston Chorale, Reston, VA

St. Dominic Music Ministry, Washington, DC

St. James' Combined Choirs, Mount Vernon, VA

St. Theresa School Choir, Ashburn, VA

Trinity Presbyterian Church Children’s Choir, Herndon, VA

United Christian Parish, Reston, VA

Virginia Run Viking Singers, Centreville, VA

Wakefield Chorale, McLean, VA

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For more information, please call (703) 255-1902 or e-mail elf@wolftrap.org.