PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Competing with several countries, the Bahamas National Childrens choir were the only performers from the Western Hemisphere and the only black performers at young2010prague last weekend.

The Young Prague event was established in 2003 and has become a popular venue for young people between 8 and 26 interested in music and choir singing. Participants have a chance to show their talent and skill with competitions open to qualified groups.

young2010prague included thousands of participants - 17 choirs and nine orchestras from Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, UK and the Czech Republic.

The Bahamas National Childrens Choir attained Bronze Level, placing behind Russia, Germany, The Channel Islands and the Czech Republic.

Preparing to represent The Bahamas to an audience of thousands before their Friday performance, choir members were more excited than anxious.

Queen’s College fifth-grader David Allens said being in Prague was special for him. “Normally, I would not get the opportunity to be here; but I am happy that I was able to,” he said. “It is quite hard; but we still learned everything we needed to learn and I just hope that we win.”

Brenee Wallace, a grade 10 student from St Andrew’s College, said she is happy to be on the trip because it brought her to Prague.

“It is a very beautiful place and I am enjoying every moment of it and I think that we are probably going to bring it home this year,” she said.

Although several countries participated, The Bahamas was one of the nations that met the standards to compete.

Patricia Bazard, Director and Co-Founder of the choir, said, "I think that it is wonderful because we are not only representing The Bahamas, as we were in Russia, we represent North and South America, as well as the Caribbean, being the only group from that side of the world. We take that seriously and our kids are ready.”

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