Naturalization Ceremony at The Hermitage

I remain amazed at all the super-cool things that we get to do simply because we are involved with the Nashville Children's Choir.  Singing at baseball games, weddings, rock concerts, recording studios, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, McAfee Concert Hall, various beautiful churches in the area--and then add to that all the interesting venues that NCC sings in on tour.  I mean, they sang on the deck of an aircraft carrier this past May, for crying out loud!  Really great opportunities...and great memories.

Well, today was another one of those experiences. Today, because the girls were asked to perform the National Anthem during a naturalization ceremony at The Hermitage, they also had the privilege of seeing the entire process up close and personal.  What was different about this day is that none of the directors could make it to the performance, and so they entrusted me with the oversight of the day's events...and most significantly: entrusted Moo and her fellow Graduate Assistants with leading the group through warms ups, and then Laura directing the group on stage.  I was exceedingly proud of all the kids for their professionalism, maturity and focus.

About 80 people from 42 countries became citizens of the United States this morning on the front lawn of the mansion that Andrew Jackson used to call home.  Men and women from Iraq, Egypt, Ireland, The Ivory Coast, South Africa, Israel, Russia, England, Sudan, the Philippines, Taiwan, China and many other places rose their right hand and swore off "oaths to other princes, etc" * and then covered their heart with those same hands and pledged allegiance to the United States of America.  I'm not especially patriotic, I don't personally "pledge allegiance" to a country (long explanation), and I can also take a very cynical view of our country and its "greatness" at times...but even I was touched at the significance of the moment.  

 Three of the local television stations sent reporters to video tape the event and interview the new citizens after the ceremony. 

What is unable to be overstated is that these people worked really hard to earn their citizenship.  Really hard.  I earned it by way of where my mom delivered me.  Boom.  Just like that.  Easy.   But these people, like couples who wish to adopt a child and find themselves working above and beyond in time and treasure what any other goofball teenager who gets pregnant and gives birth the summer after their junior year ever had to. It's not fair, but it sure is impressive and says something about how strongly those folks adopting want a baby...and so I guess it says a whole lot about how much these folks wanted to be Americans.

After the performance and ceremony, we toured the grounds and mansion. Though the NCC is normally 90 strong, this was an optional performance since of it being during a school day, and so the group was made up of all homeschoolers.  Can someone say field trip?!?  Hey, community service AND field trip, all in one!

I'll back up and show the pictures of the group before, during and after the ceremony which includes pictures of our time touring the mansion and grounds. 

BEFORE:

Initial practice...

Warming up...

More warm ups...

and more...

almost ready...

DURING:

Waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Introduction of Judge Todd Campbell.

Coming off stage to rejoin chaperones and family.

Several networks were there getting footage of the event.

AFTER:

In front of the mansion.

Junior docents from a local school talk about games from the period in which Andrew Jackson lived.

Darcy and Hattie doing...something.  :)

The Honorable Todd Campbell presided over the preceedings, and took time to talk with the NCC afterwards and thank them for "their angelic singing", and pointed out to them that it was something that participants "would remember for decades to come".

Belle and some of the other girls got a quick conversation and smile from the secret service agent.

One of my favorite pictures of the day.

Getting ready to enter the mansion. 

In contrast, this is taken before entering Alfred's modest home...Alfred was Jackson's slave.

As usual, a good time was had by all. :)

*"I hereby swear or affirm that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or of which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God."  ~Naturalization oath