Lyrical Lions sing national anthem for Solar Bears

A love of singing is what inspired third-grader Gaspard Decoster and fourth-grader Mariam Gharibyan to join Bay Lake Elementary School’s Lyrical Lions. 

Little did they know that that decision would put them at center ice at the Amway Center just a few months later.

The first-year music club students joined their fellow Lyrical Lions in singing the national anthem at the Orlando Solar Bears’ Feb. 21 game.

“The thing I like most about chorus is the singing and (playing) the recorder,” Decoster said.  “I joined chorus by getting this sheet of paper in my mailbox in my class … I showed it to my mom and said I wanted to join.”

 “My favorite part of chorus is I get together with all my friends and we can come here and sing together and play our recorders together,” Gharibyan said. “Last year, I wanted to join, and I was too late, so I couldn’t join. So this year, I got the paper and my mom filled it out for me so I was able to come here and join the chorus.”

When asked if how they felt about singing at the Solar Bears game, the two expressed their excitement.

“I’m not shy,” Decoster said. “I love to sing and I love to sing in front of people.”

“I love to sing too, (but) I’ve never be been in front of a crowd singing,” Gharibyan said. “I’m really excited, but I’m nervous too.”

Bay Lake Elementary School’s Music Teacher Meredith Barnes contacted the Solar Bears to inquire about getting her students some time in the spotlight.

“I have had other music teachers who’ve done it, and they gave good feedback,” Barnes said. “We’re very excited. The kids are really looking forward to it.”

Barnes said her chorus students in the past have gotten to perform at places such as the Hyatt Hotel at Walt Disney World.

“This school is brand new, so there have not been a whole lot (of performances) yet,” Barnes said. “We’re going to probably do this (event) again. We’re looking at Orlando Magic, more hotels, and I would like to do Light Up Mt. Dora.”

Currently, the Lyrical Lions has about 60 students. Students who not only get to sing but also enjoy an introduction to the world of music. Students learn how to play a number of instruments such as the recorder, xylophone and drums, Barnes said.