Hillsboro, OR, January 4, 2001 — Ring of Fire, a handbell choir from Tualatin Valley Junior Academy has been selected to perform in the Ronald Reagan Building for the Inaugural Ball to be held there. They have been selected from over 10,000 participants in the Inaugural festivities to share their music at one of eight inaugural balls.
The Ronald Reagan Building is the second largest government building in Washington D.C. after the Pentagon. It was completed in 1998 and sits just down from the White House at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue. This will be the first ever Inaugural Ball to be held at this venue. Presidential Inaugural Ball Committee has officially assigned the state of California to this Ball and is still working on the final list of additional states that will share the Inaugural Ball held in the Reagan Building.
About the Inaugural Appearance
Ring of Fire has been selected as the only group from the state of Oregon to perform at the Inauguration of President-elect George W. Bush on January 20, 2001. The group will perform several times during the parade, including a performance for President-elect Bush as he passes with his motorcade. They will also be performing for an hour before and after the Inaugural Parade. They will be performing from the front of the Ronald Reagan Building, just across from the press box located on the parade route.
Since their invitation by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, they have experienced a blur of interviews, news coverage, and radio spots. The media frenzy has really energized the kids about their first trip to the East Coast and this historic opportunity.
In November 2000, the group spent an entire Sunday making 600 apple pies as a Thanksgiving fundraiser. The group raised over $3,000 and that money will be going to help fund their trip back east. In addition, donations from all across the state have been arriving to help support the group. As of January 5, $785 has come in from people who want to share in the exciting opportunity for these kids and the state of Oregon. The group's expenses are expected to be $10,000 for the trip. They are seeking help from the public as well as corporate sponsorship.
About Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire is based in the Pacific Northwest, a region known for its volcanic activity. In the groups few years in existence, they have earned a reputation for outstanding excellence in handbells. They are widely known for their ability to memorize their music and their unique, spirited style. They continue to meet their goal of bringing their fiery music to many diverse audiences, including schools and churches, corporate functions, charity events, NBA basketball games, and on national and international television. Their performance is an explosive combination of an energetic director, exuberant youth, and the brilliance of 61 bells begging to be rung!