BRHS Festival Singers perform for Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City

The BRHS Festival Singers were greeted with applause and acknowledgement from Pope Benedict XVI... — The BRHS Festival Singers were greeted with applause and acknowledgement from Pope Benedict XVI and the entire audience!

Much work was going on Tues. inside St. Peter's Basilica. Chairs were being placed throughout... — Much work was going on Tues. inside St. Peter's Basilica. Chairs were being placed throughout the main nave and the choral risers were being set up as well. News media from around the world have swarmed Vatican Square. (Source: Robbie Giroir, Choir Dir.)

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - It was an historic performance and an unexpected experience of a lifetime. The Baton Rouge High School Festival Singers sang for the 10 a.m. papal audience Wednesday morning in Vatican City.

The festival singers from Baton Rouge High knew they would be performing for the Pope but had no idea they would literally get a front row seat to history as the Pontiff celebrated his last Ash Wednesday service as leader of the Catholic Church.

"We were in Pompeii touring the ruins on Monday and some of the kids started getting texts saying the Pope has resigned, said Robbie Giroir Choir Director.

"We were there in this audience this morning and witnessing history."

One of the parents along for the trip described it as an amazing experience.

"Oh my goodness it was so amazing and so beautiful," said Annalee Campbell.

Just after announcing the American contingent present, and after the American Papal Address that followed, the BRHS Festival Singers sang "Cry Out and Shout" of Knut Nystedt. The BRHS Festival Singers were greeted with applause and acknowledgement from Pope Benedict XVI and the entire audience.

"The kids were right front and center and sang so beautifully for him and he clapped and acknowledged them," said Campbell.

"It was so exciting," said student and singer Caroline Campbell.

"We were so close to him and he clapped and gave us his full attention and we were not expecting to be that close and we were and it was so amazing."