Some of Natchez’s most superior singers will be vocalizing their best at a nationwide musical festival in Washington D.C. this weekend.

Natchez High School is sending 46 of its music students, all under the direction of choir teacher Joyce Arceneaux, to participate.

For the students, this trip concludes a successful year of receiving high marks at music festivals around the state.

&uot;I give all credit to Mrs. Arceneaux, because she has helped me out and inspired me to learn different languages and maybe even major in music,&uot; said Kejuana Bates, a sophomore at Natchez High.

Arceneaux said the students have done so well in state competitions, she thought they deserved a chance to compete with group from outside of state.

Among the 46 students, three choirs will perform in Washington, including the concert chorus, the quartet and the men’s choir.

&uot;We have some students in the program who are really outstanding students,&uot;&160;Arceneaux said. &uot;They have a lot of talent.&uot;

They will compete with nine other school choirs, most of which are from the New England area.

Students and parents and the Friends of Natchez Singers Boosters Club have been preparing for the trip and raising money since last spring.

The parents have been dedicated to the event, Arceneaux said.

&uot;I’m just so proud of the City of Natchez and the parents,&uot; she said.

The trip is costing choir students some $30,000.

This includes $6,000 to $7,000 earned through fund-raisers and a $1,000 matching grant from Wal-Mart.

Students at Natchez High agreed with the idea for the trip.

&uot;I’m very excited about it and seeing the White House and the Lincoln Memorial,&uot; said Elliott Green, a NHS sophomore, about the trip.