The Dyer Elementary School Chorus and Advanced Percussion Ensemble played for former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Roselyn Carter Thursday, February 11, at the Carter Center. The students performed Let Us Seed This Earth, a world-premiere piece written by Boston composer Stephen Jean. It is set to a poem written by Ric S. Bastasa for the Childrens Choir and Percussion Ensemble. Jean spent several days working with the students and attended the world premiere performance. The piece also was written in honor of Carter who dedicated it to the GCPS students.
Coinciding with the performance, the Dyer students presented the Carters with a check for $1,000 to help the Carter Center continue its mission of Wage Peace, Fight Disease, Build Hope. The students raised the money through an event called Cuddles for Carter, in which students brought stuffed animals to school for a day and made donations.
Mountain View High School graduate and American Idol contestant Josiah Siska also performed with the students.
The Carter Center is located at 453 Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.