Royal High choir will be part of Memorial Day festivities in D.C.

Eighty Royal High School students are in Washington, D.C., this weekend after their chorale group was chosen one of the premier in the country.

The group auditioned a year ago and learned in June 2008 they would represent California in the National Memorial Day Chorale Festival at the JFK Center of Performing Arts.

Only eight groups in the United States were chosen.

"At first, when we were talking about a tour for this year, we didn't know where we were going," said senior Akayla Kohlieber. "When our director, (Bonnie) Graeve told us we were going to D.C., everyone just gasped. We were so excited."

The students have performed at many prestigious venues, including Disney Hall, Carnegie Hall two years ago and Orchestra Hall in Chicago four years ago. They've auditioned before, but this is the first year Royal was chosen for the national event.

The group is made up of students from five chorale groups at Royal: the jazz ensemble, women's ensemble, vocal ensemble, chamber singers and concert choir.

Senior Megan Switzler and sophomore Erica Ruiz have been singing for most of their lives.

"I'm not overwhelmed, but I'm really excited," Ruiz said. "It's so great that we get to share our talents with the rest of the country. Some of us have worked all our lives to get to this level, and being invited makes us feel that we worked hard and we are appreciated for it."

The Royal students left Thursday and will return late Monday.

They will give their main concert Sunday afternoon, and they'll also perform at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the church on the Catholic University of America campus.

All eight chorale groups invited were also asked by country music singer Lee Greenwood to sing backup for him when he performs "God Bless the USA" in the National Memorial Day Parade Monday. The parade will be broadcast on PBS.

While in the nation's capital, the students will tour the White House and the Capitol building, and they'll visit other sights, like Arlington Cemetery and Georgetown University.

"I'm always extremely proud of my students," said director Graeve. "They work very hard, and they sound great. They are just the best. It's an A-plus program and an A-plus class."

Debbie Bartholomew, a parent assistant to the chorale program, said the year of preparation has been remarkable.

"Mrs. Graeve has really gone above and beyond on this," Bartholomew said. "And the students have been amazing. They have 12 pieces of music to learn and they've done it. It sounds wonderful."