Cranston High East Chorus Lands PBS Gig Airing Wednesday Night with Judy Collins

CRANSTON, RI — Full disclosure: Thalia Martinez, 17, really had never listened to Judy Collins's music before. But she's a fan now, she said.

"I did look up a few of her songs," she said. "I liked them."

Thalia, a senior at Cranston East High School, will share the spotlight with the folksinger tomorrow night at the local public television station. She'll be joined by 11 more members of the school's concert choir.

"I'm looking forward to singing with some of my closest friends," Thalia said. But it's also a chance to hear Collins in person.

"I'm honored to be performing with a Grammy Award winning artist," she said.

The choir will be on Rhode Island PBS from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for the Fall Pledge Drive. Collins is hosting the program.

"We premiere 'Judy Collins: A Love Letter to Stephen Sondheim' on TV tomorrow," said Lucie Raposo, the public information manager at Rhode Island PBS.

According to Emily Johnson, the chorus director, the viewers will see the students six times throughout the broadcast.

"They're like the commercials," she said, meaning the youngsters will be on for about two minutes each time before the breaks.

They're a little nervous, she allowed, but it's more "nervous excitement," she said. "We're really excited to have this opportunity."

Collins and the station gave Johnson "full artistic license," she said in making the selections. She chose traditional choral music and a couple of fun pieces.

The chorus had performed several last year.

"In terms of putting together the music, it went very quickly," she said.

Tomorrow night's TV appearance is only part of the Collins connection, though.

The Cranston High East Chorus will be joining her Dec. 23 for the “The Holiday and Hits Show” at the Park Theater.

The students will do some holiday music at that show, too, Johnson said, probably including "Jingle Bell Dash."