Barrington High singers invited back to White House

Change may be coming to the White House, but not before the Barrington High School Madrigal Singers get another chance to perform there.

Last year - thanks in large part to the Washington, D.C., connections of U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, a Barrington High alumnus - the Madrigals got to sing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. during a holiday open house.

They were stationed at the main entrance, performing mainly for White House staff members and special guests.

"It didn't really hit us that we would be singing where the president lives until we were walking up the White House driveway," said Mac Dassatti, now a senior who'll get to go on the trip a second time. "Then it hit us all at once."

This year, the Madrigals have been invited for an encore appearance on Dec. 13. The White House would only accept one of the school's two coed Madrigal groups, but the others will get to perform - and see the sites - elsewhere around the capital, thanks to Barrington High parents who've helped organize the trip, said school fine arts Chairwoman Julie Salk.

Last year, there was even an impromptu performance of "God Bless America" at the Vietnam War memorial, which parent Gregg Werner said brought many onlookers to tears.

It also hasn't gone unnoticed that the next White House concert comes mere weeks before President Bush moves out, though it's likely they'll sing for him directly.

"Some of my friends who are really into politics have said it's like they're going to give Bush his final farewell," Dassatti said.