last week.

The 36 students won first place honours in the show category in the American competition "Music in the Parks'' held at Six Flags in Atlanta, Georgia.

Some 20 choirs from throughout the southeastern states took part in the one-day annual event.

But choir director, John Woolridge, said the choir's request to receive a national rating was even more significant.

Judges determined the local choir to be "excellent'' -- just one step away from "superior'', the highest rank possible.

"It means more than coming first, second or third in the competition,'' said Mr. Woolridge.

"Our goal was to have our kids exposed to that standard of singing. They competed at that level and they had success at that level,'' he added.

The choir received a hero's welcome when they returned to the Island yesterday.

Premier Pamela Gordon, Education Minister Tim Smith, and CedarBridge principal Ernest Payette were among those on hand at the Airport.

AWARD WINNING CHOIR -- CedarBridge Academy's choir -- shown at an earlier concert in Bermuda -- returned from a musical extravaganza in Atlanta where they received top honours.

Graphic file name: CHORWIN