 |  April 25, 2002 |
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by Yvette Moore
When a door opens, count on Jo Morris and a chorus of children to take off through it.
"Tonight we're going to Madison Square Garden where we'll be doing the Star Spangled Banner for the Knicks," she said in a quick telephone interview between classes at New York City's Middle School No. 44 where she teaches. Just two weeks before tonight's opening Assembly worship, during which Ms. Morris and her middle-school students will assist in presenting the musical "Fly, Pretty Angel, Fly!" they opened for another event -- the Knicks, the National Basketball Association's New York franchise.
Ms. Morris, a professional singer and public-school teacher, recruited the 29 choristers, 8-14 years old, who will perform tonight. The youth are from Middle School No. 44 and Hunter College Elementary School, both New York City public schools, and Columbia Prep, a private elementary school affiliated with Columbia University in New York City. Ms. Morris and "Fly, Pretty Angel, Fly!" co-director Barbara Ames have been rehearsing with the youth for about four months. The youth love the production, the directors said.
"At first they thought this is really kind of simple; they're used to singing three- and four-part harmonies," Ms. Morris said, explaining "Fly, Pretty Angel, Fly's!" unison choral arrangements. "But by the second time they came together, they had gotten into the lyrics. It's a wonderful compilation of thoughts -- a real worship service in itself."
About 20 parents of the "Fly, Pretty Angel, Fly!" performers will be in the convention hall tonight, supporting and enjoying their children's performance. Ms. Morris said the faith-basis of the play was not a problem for the parents.
"We wanted their parents to know it was a religious effort," Ms. Morris said. "Some parents don't want their children involved in religious singing, but the parents, because of the uplifting words and message, did. Most people want good to come of life. And, believe it or not, most people are religious."
Tonight is not Ms. Morris's first Assembly performance. She led a similar group of children in song at the 1990 Assembly in Kansas City, Mo. She still hears from those children.
"I have some of their sisters and brothers in the choir now," she said.
Adapted for the web from Response Daily.
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