Richton Park, IL-(ENEWSPF)- At the request of the Chinese Commerce of Chicago, the Rich South band has been asked to perform during the Welcome Ceremonies for Chinese President Hu Jintao during his visit to Chicago. The band will perform at the Chicago Hilton on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the Peninsula Hotel Chicago at 4:30 p.m. and at the Downtown Chicago Hilton at 5:30 p.m.
“We are indeed honored and privileged to be a part of such a monumental event,” said Rich South band director Yolandus Douglas. “What an honor for our school, our district and our community.” The Chicago visit is the only stop during President Jintao’s four-day visit to the United States outside of his D.C. trip, which includes a formal state dinner this evening with President Barack Obama.
The school says the Rich South band is no stranger to the spotlight. The award-winning band performed Monday night for Governor Pat Quinn, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the Chicago Mayoral candidates during the Martin Luther King Legacy breakfast in Chicago. They’ve garnered local, national and internal acclaim and continue to set the standard in musical excellence.
“It is an unparalleled honor that the Rich South Marching Band has been given the opportunity to welcome Hu Jintao, the president of the People’s Republic of China, to the Chicagoland area,” said Rich South principal, Cynthia Hudson. “Out of all of the talented bands the Chinese American Community could have selected, they have given this international honor to the Rich South Band. We are proud of our students and recognize this is an experience that will leave an indelible mark on their lives.”
About Rich Township :
Located 30 miles south of Chicago, Rich Township High School District 227 is home to Rich Central, Rich East and Rich South High Schools and is nationally-recognized for its academic offerings including a range of advanced placement, hono rs and college-credit courses as well as a comprehensive special education an d alternative education program. Rich Township offers more than 68 sports, clubs and extra-curricular activities to its 4,300 students including an award-winning band program, a nationally-recognized SECME program that exposes students to careers in engineering, a premiere culinary arts program, and an acclaimed entrepreneurship program. In 2009 and 2010, the Rich East campus was recognized by U.S. News & World Reports’ Annual Ranking of America’s Best High Schools. Graduates earn millions in scholarships each year and attend top-ranked colleges and universities across the United States and abroad. For more information, please contact Nikitta Foston, Public Relations Coordinator, at 708.679.5723 or email her at [email protected] .
