It was the thrill of a lifetime when a double quartet from the Vienna-Falls Chorus was invited to sing in the Rose Garden of the White House for National Volunteer Appreciation Day. One of our own, Elsie Bartlett, is a White House volunteer and had submitted pictures and a tape of our double quartet, Eight Misbehavin in hopes of being asked to entertain 800-1000 volunteers as they waited for the appreciation ceremony to begin. Imagine our surprise when we were accepted as the only performing group in addition to the Marine Corps Band!

Originally scheduled to sing just 2-3 songs prior to speeches by President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, our group was such a hit that we sang nearly everything in our repertoire. Mrs. Clinton told the crowd that she had "heard some great singing from inside and hoped to hear more". White House aides immediately found us seats and asked us to "sing more, please!" after the ceremony while the President and First Lady greeted their audience. Mrs. Clinton asked to have an official White House picture taken with us and insisted that the President had also just loved our performance.

We have since been invited to sing at the Congressional Picnic, which was held in July.   We entertained at the top the driveway as Congressional staff and their families entered the White House.  While we didn't get to sing for the President or Mrs. Clinton, we did sing for Senator Strom Thurman (picture will be added soon!).  We've been told that we may also be invited to perform again at Christmas.  We'll keep you updated!