Gospel Choir songs

WILMINGTON, Del. (CBS) — There was just enough time to squeeze in one last practice this afternoon at Cab Calloway School of the Arts.

The gospel choir is getting ready to make its way from Wilmington to the White House on Tuesday.

“I am so excited, ” Junior Gabrielle Barnes said. “I’m really nervous. I haven’t been able to sleep, and I’m shaking right now.”

It will be the performance of their young careers.

Cab’s gospel choir was chosen from hundreds of applicants to provide the holiday music for White House tours Tuesday afternoon.

“To have them represent our school at the national level, just speaks volumes to the caliber of the program that we offer here, ” Dean Julie Rumschlag said.

She’s seen the choir skyrocket to success.

Formed less than two years ago, the group practices about an hour a day, at least five days a week.

That hard work will soon pay off. The students are scheduled to sing right next to the White House Christmas tree.

“Quite anxious, I can’t wait, they can’t wait, ” Junior Pyerce Oates said.

Cab’s gospel choir is the brain child of Oates, who started playing and singing in church when he was just two years old.

This will be the second trip to Washington in about a week for him. Pyerce just performed at Vice President Joe Biden’s Christmas party last Sunday.

Now, it’s his classmates’ turn.