Natchez High School choir members are singing a different tune these days: &uot;New York, New York.&uot; Thirty-five students and six chaperones will travel to the Big Apple this weekend and join high school musical groups from across the nation for the &uot;New York, New York 2001&uot; Festival of Music.

Under the direction of Joyce Arceneaux, the Natchez High choir has travelled extensively in recent years, participating in festivals and competitions throughout the Southeast. Last year, the choir performed in Washington, D.C. and as a result, were invited to attend a festival in Montreal.

&uot;The program we have here is exemplary of everything that is supposed to go on in a high school program,&uot; Arceneaux said.

Many of her students go on to choose music as a college major, and several have been offered scholarships.

Choir member and junior Tiffany Minor said she transferred to Natchez High last year specifically because she wanted to be part of the choral program. Minor said she intends to study music in college and hopes to pursue it as a career.

Besides performing, the students will also immerse themselves in the music and entertainment culture of New York City.

During the three-day trip, the students will visit the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and see the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s &uot;Phantom of the Opera&uot; as well as other Manhattan attractions. &uot;This isn’t just a field trip,&uot; Arceneuax said. &uot;You can’t buy those experiences. You just can’t put a price tag on them.&uot;

Senior Jhaquetta Emile said the trip will broaden her musical horizons and offer cultural experiences she might not otherwise have. Others, like junior Roderick Whitley, look forward to seeing a Broadway musical.

&uot;I love to travel and I love music, so going to New York helps me combine the two,&uot; said junior Shabilla Adams.

Arceneaux said the trip would not have been possible without the support of school administrators, teachers, parents, local churches, private donors and the choral booster club.