With just a few days to go before the 2013 International Children's Games, final preparations are underway.
That includes rehearsals for the much-anticipated ICG theme song. One of the last practice sessions was held Monday morning ahead of the opening ceremony.
The group has been practicing for over a month now, after their submission was chosen as the official theme song. A lot of them, just in their teens, are anxious for Thursday's performance, but they sound like pros.
They are calling it an opportunity of a lifetime.
“It's like going to work, this is a really big thing for everybody here," says Ryley Demers.
They will be performing before 7,000 people, Write Your Name on the Sky, the official theme song for the games.
"It's serious, I mean this is a big deal, you know?” says Demers.
Led by vocalist Christie Palazzolo, the song evokes the spirit of the event, challenging athletes to exceed all expectations.
“Come over there, give it your all and do the best you can do. I think the song captures the essence of the games," says Christie Palazzolo.
A dozen Windsor-Essex students will be performing, two of them were chosen as part of a YouTube competition. Gillian Marshall was selected as back up vocalist.
"I got the lyrics to mean something to me, and that's what helped me create something with it," says Marshall.
The group has rehearsed Peter Palazzolo’s song nearly three times a week for the past month.
While the students are excited to perform for an arena full of fans, Palazzolo admits he too is trying to keep things in check.
"You gotta stay calm, I won't get excited until that day when I hear people and then I'll figure it out at that point," says songwriter Peter Palazzolo.
The event runs from Aug. 14-19.
