Glee Club to Make Television Debut [Video]

The club is based off a television show … and now it has brought its talent to yet another television show.

The Glee Club was invited to perform on the “Rachael Ray Show” Sept. 14 as part of a segment highlighting real-life incarnations of practices seen on television.

According to choir director John Wilson, the in response to student interest in FOX’s hit show “Glee.” In its first year, the club had more than 60 members, and held the first ever to raise money for the choral program, while also placing first in its division at a Music in the Parks competition in May.

But after seeing an article about the Glee Club in Patch last year, Wilson said, Mandie DeCamp, an assistant producer with the “Rachael Ray Show” contacted him to ask about featuring the students on the show. The segment will air during the Sept. 29 episode.

“I am so excited to see a performance on TV that my friend and I are in,” said sophomore Noël Zucchero.

Wilson said the students did not have a lot of time to prepare, after being told about the opportunity on Sept. 7. He said he put together an arrangement of the song, “Heartbreaker,” by Pat Benatar, and students began rehearsing the following day.

“Choreographer Joan Aniano traveled from Emerson College in Boston to teach students the movements, and Aaron Lenhart, experienced performer and director, came from New York City to coach the students through their performance,” Wilson said.

The students said they were very excited to have the opportunity to take part in this performance.

“Putting together a performance over such a short period of time that looked and sounded great [was my favorite part],” said sophomore Gillian Erlenborn.

“It was a real privilege to work with such amazing people both from the Glee club and the ‘Rachael Ray Show,’" senior Melanie Fernandes added.

The Glee Club was recognized at Tuesday's board of education meeting, and the students performed their song for the audience.

"They were just fantastic, and I got chills listening to them," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder. "It was a fine fine performance."

But in addition to the performance on television, Wilson said at the meeting, the students were presented during the show with a check for $10,000 by Broadway and television star Kristin Chenoweth, who has appeared on "Glee."

"This money is going to go toward opportunities for paying entrance fees for competitions," Wilson said. "And it will help us update our stage a little bit."

"This was a really generous gift," he added.

Wilson said in a separate interview that he is proud of his students and the work they put in, and is looking forward to another year with the Glee Club, which is now by audition only to ensure that the most dedicated students can work together and at an accelerated pace.

“I am constantly impressed at the level of professionalism demonstrated by my students,” he said. “These young performers were asked to perform as professionals and they rose to the occasion. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Wilson said at the board meeting that performing on the "Rachael Ray Show" was a great opportunity.

"We're happy we had a chance to make you proud on national tv," he said.

The students performing on the show are founding members Tara Simpson and Esther Jean-Baptiste, Kelly Barber, Jaime Bartolett, Marisa DiPaolo, Brooke Dobossy, Gillian Erlenborn, Struan Erlenborn, Melanie Fernandes, Sarah Loeffler, Pratheek Mangini, Michelle Palombi, Taylor Patullo, Alec Richards and Noël Zucchero.

The episode will air on ABC at 10 a.m. Sept. 29.