New Mexico State University Singers and members of the Masterworks Choir, a group of students and community members, performed for “New Mexico Day,” June 11, 2006, at the National Cathedral and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

The cathedral acknowledges each state periodically with an invitation to take part in a Sunday Service. NMSU Choirs was selected to represent New Mexico after auditioning with tapes and videos.

Jerry Alt, director of choral activities at NMSU, said the audience was pleased most by the spiritual songs the group sang, but the entire performance was well received.

“We received a strong round of applause at the end of the performance,” Alt said. “The publicity person at the cathedral told me that was very unusual. He said that people usually feel restrained in the cathedral setting and don’t applaud even when they want to.”

The choir enjoyed being in the nation’s capital.

“Our hotel was just across the Key Bridge from Georgetown,” Alt said. “We took a moonlight tour of the monuments that was very impressive. We also were a walking distance from the Pentagon City mall. That was a big hit. The shopping, restaurants and social life were really fun for us.”

While in Washington, D.C., the choir had a chance to meet some NMSU alumni who are now living in the area.

“At our group dinner Darrell and Gretchen Partin joined us,” Alt said. “Darrell is a fine musician and plays in a military band in D.C. We visited Ashley Foster, who is starring in four shows at Six Flags in D.C. Another alum, Michael Cano, also is living and working in the area. It was great to see our music alums being successful in the big city.”