VIEW: Palo Verde group set to sing at historic venue

The Palo Verde High School choir will be Americans in Paris this month when they embark on the opportunity of a lifetime -- to sing at the Notre Dame Cathedral.

The cathedral, completed in 1250, was created as Paris was becoming a political power. The students, Lisa Ramirez, director; and Michael Wineski, assistant, will perform "Puer Natus est Nobis" -- translated from Latin meaning "A Child is Born Unto Us" -- a piece composed especially for the choir by Wineski.

The a cappella piece tells the story of Jesus' birth and was inspired by Gregorian chants and Linus' speech in "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The 16th Century, Renaissance tone is perfect for the cathedral, symbolically and acoustically, Wineski said.

Said Ramirez: "Notre Dame is one of the most known cathedrals in the world, so the opportunity to perform there is ..."

"Phenomenal," finished student Brittany Ladesic, 18.

"It hasn't even come across my mind yet," said Wineski, a graduate student in music composing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "All my life, I just wanted to be in music. You just never dream that one of my pieces is going to be performed in the Notre Dame."

Wineski believes, although the piece is difficult, it's in capable hands.

"The first few rough drafts were pretty simple and pretty bland. It became difficult to make it interesting," said Wineski, 31.

He worked on the piece with professor Virko Baley until he was satisfied with all its elements. "At the same time, I didn't want to give them something really, really easy. Then, what's the point?"

The choir is traveling with former teacher Barbara Edwards in mind. She was killed in the plane that crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11. The choir will also sing "The Prayer of St. Francis," which they sang at Edwards' memorial.

"She would've wanted us to do it," said Ladesic, who had Edwards as a teacher.

"Ms. Edwards traveled a lot every summer," Ramirez said. "If she knew we were sitting at home in fear, she'd be disappointed."

After the attacks, many parents either pulled their children from the trip or couldn't afford the $1,950 price tag. Out of 71 students originally signed on, 49 students will travel. Ramirez borrowed a theme from President Bush -- "we will not live in fear," she said.

Artistically, the students also had to prepare a repertoire and began work in January on Wineski's piece, which they will perform one of three movements.

"I told them if they want to make it, they have to work," Ramirez said.