Marshall Elementary Choir Chosen as B101 Christmas Contest Semifinalist

B101 radio chose Marshall Street Elementary School’s fourth grade concert choir in West Norriton as one of the semi-finalists in their Christmas Choir Competition this year, out of schools in nine surrounding counties, according to a flyer made by Marshall music teacher Emily Buhlman.

The song that the choir recorded, “Be a Santa,” will be played on-air by B101 on Monday all day, starting at 7 a.m. while people vote on their favorite on www.b101radio.com from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The children practice in the choir each Wednesday. They entered their song into the B101 contest in early November and learned on Tuesday that their song was one of nine semifinalists in the greater Philadelphia region, according to Rebecca Neuber, the mother of one of the choir members.  

“My daughter was so excited that her choir was chosen as a semi-finalist. The first thing she said to me when I had picked her up yesterday was that we were going to hear her school on the radio. I know quite a few of the children participating are thrilled to be a part of this and many, like my daughter, hope to grow up to be famous singers,” wrote Neuber in an email to Patch.

Rotation Education, a Rotation Records Company, helped the fourth graders record and mix the song, according to Tom Jensen, co-owner of Rotation Records, in a message to Patch. Rotation Records is based in Norristown.

"We donate our time and energy to this school because we are passionate about music and educating our youth. It's moments like this that really give us validation that we are doing the right thing and push us to continue our efforts. All I did was set up some microphones and hit record, the kids did the rest, the credit goes to Emily and her amazing 4th grade choir!" wrote Jensen.

Voting on Monday works as follows:

-go to www.b101radio.com and click on the “Christmas Choir Competition” link.

-follow the instructions that will explain how to vote (such as for Marshall Street Elementary School’s song “Be a Santa”).

-voting is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Winners in the fourth graders’ division, which includes kindergarteners through eighth-graders, will advance to the finals on Thursday, Dec. 5 and the grand prize winner will be announced on-air on Dec. 6 on the B101 morning show with Michael Chew and Jenn Ryan, according to B101 online.

The winners in their division will win $5,000 and the opportunity to perform with the Philly Pops at the Kimmel center. The choir with the second highest number of votes will win $2,000 and the opportunity to perform with the Philly Pops at the Kimmel center. The school with the fewest votes will receive $1,000.