Columbia, SC (WLTX) - South Carolina will be represented in the Pope's New Years Day Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. T
he Hammond School Choir has been approved to be a guest choir to sing, the culmination of a tour through Austria and Italy.
Director of Choirs Steven Hillard says now more than ever, the tour "Peace on Earth" is important. He tells News 19, "Right now it is the time to spread our joy of music, our power of music for peace and harmony, some joy and some hope during this time."
Forty-Eight 9th through 12th graders in the choir will tour Austria and Italy singing everything from songs by Penatonix to traditional Christmas music. But choir member Cameron Obioha says one performance is more important than the others.
"We are able to sing for the Pope on News Year's Day mass. So we are very very exited. It's definitely going to be mind blowing. I am not sure if I ever thought to myself, if I would be able to see the Pope of my time for a day or a couple of minutes to be able to sing along side him. That's gonna be something I'm gonna remember for a very very long time."
Before this Pope, Pope Francis, he wouldn't have been able to sing for the mass. Hillard explains, "Pope Francis changed a bit of the ritual and the rigid requirements to participate in the service."
With those changes, the group was able to apply and was selected. Senior choir member, Sarah Adams is excited to see what she's studied. She says, "To get to sing with the Sistine Chapel choir and the Vatican choir, it's mind blowing. Its crazy."
It's also a huge honor. Adams says, "Its gonna be such an emotional experience. I feel very honored to go."
But before they go, they'll rehearse the music they just received for the mass.
Hillard says, "That is the pinnacle. To have such a life changing and once in a life time opportunity to share our gift of music in a setting like St. Peters Basilica. But with a choir such as the Sistine Chapel Choir, is what it is truly an honor and a privilege to do."
The performance for the Papal Mass had to be approved by Pope Francis. The group leaves on the day after Christmas and returns on January 3rd.