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Forty students from Northern Shores Elementary School in Suffolk participated in the America Sings! Choral Festival held in Washington, D.C., on May 9 and 10, 2025. The event brought together approximately 300 students across the United States, including California, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

The Northern Shores students, members of the school’s audition-based Teams Music ensemble, performed both individually and as part of a massed choir at the Sylvan Theater and the Lincoln Memorial. The Teams Music program aims to foster a love of music and provide students with instruction beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Christopher Stadler, music teacher at Northern Shores, called it a unique experience for not only the students, but also Suffolk Public Schools, as this marks the first time an elementary school from SPS has performed at a national event.

“It was a unique experience for not only our students at Northern Shores, but Suffolk Public Schools as a whole, as an elementary school group has never performed at a national event before,” Stadler said. “This experience was amazing and created lifelong memories for our students.”

Between performances, Stadler said students had the opportunity to visit various memorials and landmarks in Washington, D.C., many for the first time. 

America Sings! is a non-competitive choral festival founded in 1988 by John Jacobson. The organization combines music and charitable service, encouraging young singers to make positive contributions to their communities. Participants engage in community service projects both in the host cities and their hometowns, supporting various charitable organizations.

The festival’s mission is to inspire hope and unity through song and service, providing students with memorable experiences that extend beyond musical performance.