Best School Music Group

The Kofa High Royalaires are thrilled to be named Yuma's Best School Music Group for 2006.

"Thank you!" said Kenna Tanaka, director. "We're so excited. The kids were so excited. They just kind of held their breath, then they started whooping and hollering!

"This is the first time (to win Yuma's Best), and I am so delighted for these kids. I really think they deserve it because they work very hard. We put in a lot of hours, and they sing well besides that!"

The Royalaires are currently comprised of 29 top performing choir students who auditioned to be accepted to the group, Tanaka said. "We focus on three- and four-part harmony ... and this is the first year since I've been at Kofa that I have an accompanist on the piano."

The Royalaires have performed for several local businesses and organizations, and they sing the national anthem at Kofa games. They also sing annually at one of the Phoenix Suns games.

The Royalaires are open by audition to all Kofa students enrolled in the performing choir class. Royalaires meet in class one hour per day, five days per week, and extra rehearsals are offered after school for students who want to voluntarily attend, Tanaka said.

Tanaka can be reached at 502-5544.