By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
br> As part of a promotion for the Fox television show “Glee,” “Good Day New York” entertainment reporter Julie Chang visited Crossroads South to film the vocal ensemble choir performing a few numbers Tuesday morning.
The middle school students lined up to get Ms. Chang’s autograph during a break in the filming, and during one of the live segments on Fox Channel 5, Ms. Chang asked a couple of students questions on the prom episode of “Glee.” The segments of the show the students appeared in aired live throughout the morning on the “Good Day New York” show and can be viewed online at myfoxny.com under the “Good Day” tab.
Ms. Chang said the choir acted very mature and they had very rich sounding voices.
”They can compete right up there with high schools,” she said.
She said the morning news show has showcased about 40 different school choirs from high school and middle school since the second half of the first season of “Glee.”
Ms. Chang said “Glee” revived choir participation and made it “cool” again.
The segments showcase middle school and high school choirs “in conjunction to the popular show,” she said.
The vocal ensemble featured 57 members who had auditioned to join the choir, Crossroads South music teacher Lisa Lepore said.
Before the segments were filmed, the students prepared their voices by performing vocal warm-ups. The group sang “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree,” performed by a select group of girls, and the entire choir performed “Blue Skies” and “Bumble Bee.”
Monmouth Junction resident Gabriel Sahakyan, 14, accompanied the choir on the flugelhorn during part of the performance, and Kendall Park resident Sreyas Ravi, 13, accompanied part of the performance on the bass.
Ms. Lepore said she was very pleased with the choir’s accomplishments before their appearance.
”I am incredibly proud of them,” she said. “I expect a lot from them, and they always deliver.”
Some of the students in the choir are fans of “Glee” and expressed excitement before their appearance on “Good Day New York.”
”I never miss an episode (of ‘Glee’),” Princeton Walk resident Jacob Garwood, 13, said.
Jacob also said this performance was a great opportunity to get to know the TV world.
Kendall Park resident Chris Swierczek, 11, said he also watches some “Glee” and was looking forward to the experience.
Chris said, “(I’m) happy that I will be on TV.”
Some students expressed their excitement about appearing on television.
”Singing is my passion,” Kendall Park resident Pritha Halder, 12, said. “I’m really grateful that I have such an opportunity to sing on TV.”
Kendall Park resident Joshua Owens, 14, said he has been taking acting classes with Act Like You Know Productions.
”I get to know how it feels to be on TV,” he said.
Some students felt the appearance would be beneficial to the school.
”It is a really good opportunity for our school to be noticed,” Kendall Park resident Adam Booker, 14, said.
Some students were proud of what they have accomplished on the choir.
”We’ve done some amazing pieces,” Kendall Park Mason Satnick, 12, said. “Mrs. Lepore has so much faith in us.”
Princeton Walk resident Pooja Rampal, 13, agreed, adding she could not wait for the choir to show off its talent.
”We’ve worked really hard for this,” she said.
Some students said before the broadcast that their appearance on the show will be a memory they will never forget.
”It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Kendall Park resident Alec Hayes, 11, said.

