Music club members perform in Italy
The Northeastern American Art Troupe, an affiliate of the Cecilian Music Club of Freehold, took an unprecedented journey to Rome and Venice July 4-8 to attend the 2008 International Children's Cultural and Art Festival, sponsored by the Soong Ching Ling Foundation of Italy.

The Northeastern American Art Troupe, an affiliate of the Cecilian Music Club of Freehold, sponsored a troupe of musicians to attend the International Children's Cultural and Art Festival in Italy. One of those students, Brian Tang, 13, of Marlboro, (center) received an opportunity to meet Pope Benedict XVI.

The festival brings together children from all over the world in an effort to erase national boundaries and promote peace, understanding and friendship, according to a press release.

The troupe consisted of Lucas Hurley McCabe, 12, of Manalapan; Megan Shanosky, 8, of Howell; Michael Shanosky, 11, of Howell; Katherine Shiu, 8, of Holmdel; Brian Tang, 13, of Marlboro; Alice Zhang, 9, of Marlboro; and James Zhang, 12, of Marlboro.

They were accompanied by their parents, and Beth S. Chen of Marlboro and Helen Wang of Old Bridge, co-art troupe leaders.

The troupe received Pope Benedict XVI's blessing at his summer retreat, Gandolfo Castle in Rome, on July 6.

The president of the festival, Zhu Yuhua, and the executive president, Lucia King, took five students, one of whom was Brian Tang, to have a private audience with the pope.

According to the press release, Lucas Hurley McCabe gave a moving speech on the festival's theme of Friendship, Peace and Future for the International Forum debate on July 7. He received a personal commendation from the mayor of Rome.

Troupe members performed piano solos, piano duets, and pieces for group piano on July 8. The repertoire ranged from "Showdown at Dodge City" by Kevin Olsen to "Slavonic Dance, Op. 72, No. 10" by Antonin Dvorak.

Brian Tang and James Zhang performed "America the Beautiful" on two grand pianos at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Sports Stadium on the evening of July 8. Megan Shanosky, Michael Shanosky, Katherine Shiu and Lucas Hurley McCabe performed piano solos at the closing ceremony of the festival.

Katherine Shiu studies piano with Shelly Stack of Matawan. Megan, Michael, Brian, Alice and James all study with Beth S. Chen of Marlboro.

Children from 12 nations performed in the International Children's Cultural and Art Festival, exchanged gifts and established friendships, according to the press release.

The Cecilian Music Club is an organization of teachers, performers and music lovers dedicated to the study and performance of classical music. For more information, or to become a member, call 732-905-1761.